FOOD + DRINK
THE NEXT POUR
Setting out to nurture freshly planted vines to craft a whole new generation of Kentish wine, the county also proudly boasts an ever-evolving wine landscape, with no shortage of new makers popping up on the scene to keep on your radar.
Currently celebrating their first full year of business, Harrietsham’ s Wildshark Vineyard is a standout new addition showcasing beautiful wines and memorable visitor experiences. With a stunning setting complete with captivating wild meadows and a powerful ethos of sustainability, Wildshark have admirably held biodiversity and regeneration in top stead since the very beginning. Be sure to sample their awardwinning Pinot Gris or plan to visit for an in-depth guided tour followed by a tasty cheese and charcuterie board.
Another name quickly gaining themselves a glowing reputation is Cobham House Vineyard, who not only have achieved WineGB accreditation for‘ Best Still Rosé’ with their first release, but are also striving to make meaningful, lasting change. Championing age, gender and racial diversity within the English wine industry, the vineyard has set up the Cobham House Scholarship Award to provide young people from ethnic minority backgrounds with the unique opportunity to study wine at the famed Plumpton College.
Already setting the Kentish wine stage alight with their grape-growing expertise in the Kits Coty region of the North Downs is Whitewolfe Estates. Founded by great friends Clare Whitehead and Luke Wolfe, Whitewolfe first began as grape growers supplying winemakers with the best chardonnay fruit. Since then however, their incredible grower-led approach has resulted in a spectacular‘ KC Series’ of three distinctive chardonnays made with the utmost care and precision, with their 2023 vintage set to be released this month.
Also delivering excellent promise for the future since officially launching this spring, Ragstone Ridge is led by the deeply passionate Phil and James Catt, whose previous success in the wholesale food business and shared love of wine and hospitality has given a new life to a once winemaking-rich landscape in Boughton Monchelsea. With a meticulously curated debut collection, including a Bacchus
and a flavourful Pinot Noir, Ragstone is committed to telling a story of place, care and dedication with every bottle- with exclusive events, tastings and pop-up dining experiences also set to capture the attention of wine lovers near and far.
BRENLEY WINE
“ Our aim was to create a portfolio that showcases the diversity of our terroir. The Bacchus delivers vibrant aromatics and crisp acidity while the Pinot Noir expresses delicate red fruit with subtle oak integration, and our Chardonnay – both oaked and unoaked – highlights the structure and minerality that Kent soils can produce.”
Phil Catt, co-founder of Ragstone Ridge
WESTWELL WINE
“ Our goal was to take our experience in food and hospitality and channel it into creating wines that capture the very essence of Kent, offering something truly distinctive for our customers.”
RAGSTONE RIDGE
James Catt, co-founder of Ragstone Ridge
PHIL & JAMES CATT www. insidekent. co. uk • 85