Jo
FOOD + DRINK
On The Grapevine
Shhh …. the vines are sleeping . They need this rest during the colder months to regenerate , and build up their carbohydrates in time for the Spring . Without this crucial dormancy period , the quality and yield of fruit next season will be much reduced .
It ’ s not a rest for the humans in the vineyards though . Winter pruning must take place now , before the sap starts to rise in the warmer weather . It ’ s a race against time , and vineyard managers are out there in the freezing cold , hand pruning every cane to ensure the vines produce the best fruit .
Many of the vineyards are still open for visitors . You can wander through the sleeping vines , blowing away the cobwebs in the fresh air - what a great start to the New Year !
The restaurants , cafes , delis and cellar door shops are a joyful way to spend time with friends and family at this rather dark time of year . How about lunch at the Winery Restaurant at Squerryes ( squerryes . co . uk ), overlooking the vineyard ? Or a cosy glass at Yotes Court ( yotescourt . co . uk ); home from home , with breathtaking views .
There ’ s plenty to look forward to in 2025 . Domaine Evremond ( domaineevremond . com ), the new vineyard in Chilham planted by Champagne house , Taittinger , will be opening their doors in March . The vines were planted back in 2017 , and they ’ ve been harvesting every year since 2019 , building up reserves of wine for their non vintage sparkling wine that was finally launched at the end of last year . It ’ s certainly worth waiting for , and you ’ ll be able to buy it in the spring . The new visitor centre is built into the hillside , and it ’ s a jaw dropping sight to stand in the tasting room and look down into the winery . Make sure you put this on your list for April onwards - and it ’ s walking distance from the station , too .
Talking of Chilham , I ’ m excited that we are hosting the Wine Garden of England Summer Celebration again at Chilham Castle on 7 June 2025 . It ’ s a wonderful day of wine tasting in stunning surroundings . All nine of the Wine Garden of England producers will have a marquee around the lake , including Domaine Evremond ! It ’ ll be quite an occasion . Tickets are already on sale through the website , winegardenofengland . co . uk .
NEW WINE TASTING & STEAM TRAIN EXPERIENCE
Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells has partnered with family-owned Birchden Vineyards in Groombridge to offer the perfect combination of a nostalgic steam train ride through the Wealden countryside with a vineyard tour and wine tasting experience .
Starting at either Tunbridge Wells West or Eridge stations , guests will alight at Groombridge station where they will take a 30-40 minute scenic walk to Birchden Vineyard to enjoy a tour of the vineyard and tasting of three made-with-love English wines : The Gregarious Goose a still bacchus white ; The Foxy Vixen a still pinot noir rosé ; and The Charmed Finch a sparkling pinot noir rosé , before returning to Groombridge Station for the return journey .
Tickets are on sale now for the Wine Tour Experience which starts on Saturday 1 March 2025 and runs on selected dates in March and April from either spavalleyrailway . co . uk or birchdenvineyards . co . uk .
Train tickets cost £ 10 per adult with the wine tour and tasting experience add-on costing just £ 30 per adult ( children can go too for £ 15 per child to include a glass of apple juice ).
Raising a glass to you all , and wishing you a not too dry January !
www . winegardenofengland . co . uk
Cheers !
Jo
JO GINN , BRAND MANAGER WINE GARDEN OF ENGLAND
jo @ winegardenofengland . com winegardenofengland
92 • www . insidekent . co . uk