FOOD + DRINK
ON THE VINEYARD TRAIL ...
THE GREAT GRAPE HARVEST : NEVER WAS THERE A MORE PERFECT TIME TO RAISE A GLASS TO THE FUTURE OF KENTISH WINE .
Autumn . A change in our year that Keats famously referred to as “ season of mist and mellow fruitfulness ” in his eponymous poem . This opening line , forever since quoted to depict bountiful harvests and the readying for winter , is one which so perfectly paints the month of September here in The Garden of England . As well as fruits , arable crops and vegetables , Kent has long since added grapes to its produce repertoire , and is now officially crowned Wine Garden of England , too .
With over 50 individual wineries and thousands of acres of countryside that sprawl with luscious vines , September is certainly a busy month for Kent ’ s vineyards . In what is set to be the county ’ s most popular harvest to date , with the rise of awareness and interest in Kent ’ s wine industry from the public growing stronger by the day , wine connoisseurs and vineyard lovers alike will be able to revel in all the glory of the season . This September , tours , tastings and open vineyards will welcome visitors with open arms – and a glass of sparkling or two – ready to toast the harvest of 2023 and of course , the beautifully maturing future of Kentish wine .
But what exactly is it that makes Kent so special when it comes to growing grapes for vino ? With plenty of sunny south-facing slopes , a renowned chalky soil ( our chalk is now no longer solely famous for making up the White Cliffs ) and a warm climate , Kent is simply the perfect place for growing grapes . Word on the industry grapevine , Kent is now a rival to European vineyards , which some have predicted will become too hot to make good vintages in the coming years . In preparation for this , 2021 saw acclaimed Champagne house Taittinger purchase land in Selling near Faversham , and this year , leading English wine brand Chapel Down signed an option to acquire part of Highland Court Farm in Bridge for the construction of a new £ 20- £ 30 million winery .
Referred to as the ‘ Napa Valley of the UK ’ in a Bloomberg Pursuits article , Kent ’ s vineyards and wineries have added thousands of revenue to the county ’ s tourism industry , with tourists from across the globe travelling to our corner of the UK to witness our glorious vineyards and sample our delectable wines for themselves . With such rosy investments and a booming interest in English wine , the future certainly looks sweet for the Kentish wine industry . With this comes the promise of prosperity : the perfect excuse to visit a vineyard this September and raise a glass to the Wine Garden of England . Here are just some of insideKENT ’ s recommendations :
RURAL ROOTS
Biddenden Vineyards www . biddendenvineyards . com
Kent ’ s original vineyard , Biddenden , has been owned and managed by the Barnes family since 1969 . Today , the vineyard is run by the second and third generations of the family , drawing on many years of experience in winemaking at Biddenden . Visit Biddenden for quintessentially Kentish rural tranquillity , a great vineyard shop and lots of different options when it comes to tours including self-guided strolls and a Meet The Winemaker Tour . Why not extend your visit and stay at The Grape Escape , an enchanting cottage perfect for a romantic couples ’ getaway with a wood-fired hot tub and spectacular countryside views overlooking the vines .
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