FOOD + DRINK
Last of the Summer Wine cont...
Situated in Ashford and the genius result of a pioneering, forward-thinking team, Westwell Wine is one wine lovers will want to keep up to date with as they quietly yet courageously surge ahead with innovation and style. The first English vineyard to make an amphora-aged wine and the first to successfully keg wine, Westwell are passionate about experimentation. From making piquette using waste grape pressings to creating‘ Pet Nats’( otherwise known as‘ Pétillant Naturel’, a method where wine is bottled before fermentation finishes, naturally trapping CO2 to create a rustic, lively fizz), the team here champion as little intervention as possible and have recently undertaken extensive sparkling dosage trials to continue improving their vivid collection of talked-about wines.
GUSBOURNE
“ As the British summer draws to a close, here at Gusbourne we’ re entering autumn with a real sense of excitement for all that’ s to come. We’ re currently preparing to unveil two limitededition, distinctive releases that mark a further step in our journey towards crafting truly exceptional vintage wines that innovate and push the boundaries of traditional winemaking. Whilst I can’ t share all the details just yet, they are sure to offer something exciting and unexpected for English wine lovers so watch this space!”
Dan Grainger, Nest general manager at Gusbourne
DOMAINE EVREMOND
Also steaming ahead with ambitious strides towards sustainability is Luddesdown hidden gem, Silverhand Estate, which in November last year became the first carbon-negative vineyard in the UK, without relying on carbon offsetting. A working farm as well as a blossoming vineyard, Silverhand cleverly integrates sustainable farming practices and viticulture techniques, with much thanks to their dedicated conservation team who work year-round to maintain and enhance the estate’ s unique ecosystem, while preserving the quality and integrity of their awardwinning wines.
A true celebration of bountiful harvests, Kentish vineyards are also unveiling some incredibly special new vintages to sip and savour this season. Woodchurch’ s Wayfarer Wines excitedly added three new gorgeous 2024 vintages to their collection including Pilgrims Way Pinot Gris, an exceptionally delicate white with light fruity aromatics, and Pilgrim’ s Way Pinot Noir Rosé which dazzles with a lingering raspberry finish. Simpsons’ Wine Estate, nestled in Barham just outside of Canterbury, has also just released its seventh vintage of their treasured Gravel Castle Chardonnay, which is a zesty, fruit driven and unoaked chardonnay created from Burgundian still wine clones.
84 • www. insidekent. co. uk