FOOD + DRINK
Last of the Summer Wine
BUBBLING WITH ANTICIPATION FOR WHAT’ S TO COME, THE WORLD OF KENTISH WINE HAS NEVER BEEN RICHER, OR MORE REVERED. A TRUE TESTAMENT TO OUR REGION ON THE RISE, JOIN US AS WE SIP, SAVOUR AND SING THE PRAISES OF KENT’ S GROUNDBREAKING WINEMAKERS WHO- WITH EVERY SOW, PRESS AND POUR- ARE SHAKING UP THE BOTTLE FOR TRULY REMARKABLE SERVES.
T he Great Grape Harvest. The most pivotal period on the viticultural calendar, the months of September and October are a transformative time for vineyards as grapes at their peak are picked, vintages are born and winemaking soars into full production for another year of grape-to-glass mastery.
Much as our Garden of England crown suggests, Kent is the proud home to over 50 active vineyards( and counting!), with total vineyard plantings covering an astonishing 1,033 hectares- making up around 26 % of Great Britain’ s total vineyard acreage. From the picturesque hills of the High Weald to the sun-drenched slopes of the North Downs, our county’ s award-winning combination of chalky soils, favourable climates and rural excellence is something to be very proud of indeed.
A simply extraordinary fusion of heritage and future-focused prowess, Kentish wine is forging ahead. Joining a flurry of groundbreaking activity- and even paving the way for new winemaking practices across the globe- the last few years have proved to be among the most exciting, with a steady stream of experimentation and creativity. With sustainability’ s vital spotlight encouraging a positive shift from traditional practices to conscious crafting, and low-intervention blends championing a new era of wine that allows natural flavours to shine, Kent is setting the tone for modern winemaking. Not forgetting invigorated skincontact methods adding to the county’ s first collection of orange wines since Tenterden’ s Chapel Down released England’ s first ever orange wine back in 2014, this is an industry you’ ll want to be in the know about.
From the latest acclaims and inspiring vineyard victories to Kent’ s newest grapes on the vine and indulgent autumn outings, follow along as we raise a welldeserved glass to the fruits of the county’ s lovingly tended vines and to a positively sparkling future of winemaking in the Garden of England. Cheers!
A TOAST TO TRIUMPH
Utterly deserving and further proof of Kent’ s impact on global viticulture, 2025’ s most prestigious international and national awards once again saw our heralded county take home a mighty haul of accolades for its exceptional still and sparkling wines.
“ This recognition is a real boost to our team and the ethos we’ ve built at Brenley. It validates the care we put into growing the best fruit possible and letting the wine speak for itself.”
Tom Berry, co-founder of Brenley Wine
At this year’ s Independent English Wine Awards 2025( IEWA), a highly regarded, consumer-focused competition built upon celebration and community, Kent triumphed with a proud collection of silver and bronze medals. Brenley Wine’ s Bacchus 2022 was awarded a silver- the first ever award entry for this family-run vineyard situated in Faversham that is deeply committed to an honest expression of English terroir. Beloved for its year-round wine experiences, tours and tastings, Woodchurch Wine Estate then collected both a bronze for its Rosé Brut 2022 and a silver for its Classic Brut NV. Steeped in
www. insidekent. co. uk • 81