insideKENT Magazine Issue 161 - September 2025 | Page 88

FOOD + DRINK

BRENLEY WINE:

KENT’ S BEST-KEPT SECRET, ONE GLASS AT A TIME

Just outside Faversham, Brenley Wine is quietly producing some of Kent’ s most expressive small-batch wines. Today, the estate offers four still wines, a much-loved limited-edition Blanc de Blancs, and has two new sparkling wines set for release in 2026 as their sparkling ambitions take centre stage.

Founded by Tom and Jules Berry, Brenley Wine is deeply rooted in the legacy of Brenley Farm, where the Berry family has cultivated premium fruit since 1850. Born and raised on the farm, Tom is a grower through and through, his expertise shaped by generations of farming knowledge. Brenley’ s mission began not in the winery, but in the vineyard, with a commitment to producing top-quality fruit using regenerative and biodynamic principles. The entire farm is managed as a living system, championing biodiversity and soil health through minimal intervention.
What began in 2012 as a diversification project with 5,000 vines across five acres has grown into a 24-hectare vineyard with 125,000 vines- a site capable of producing up to 250,000 bottles of wine. Yet, Brenley deliberately keeps production limited to around 12,000 bottles a year, in keeping with their ethos of estate-only, small-batch winemaking.
Brenley Wines
Bacchus 2022 is a bright, refreshing white with zesty lemon peel, white melon and elderflower aromatics. Its crisp minerality and lively acidity make it a quintessential English white that’ s perfect for warm summer days or fresh seafood.
Bacchus Reserve 2023, a late-harvested and gently barrel-aged wine, is more textured and refined. Expect notes of honeydew melon, gooseberry and sage, rounded out by subtle spice and silky structure; a Bacchus with serious depth.
Pinot Noir Rosé 2022 is soft, crisp and easydrinking. With wild strawberry, cranberry and a refreshing red apple finish, it’ s a summer staple for garden tables and sunny afternoons.
Pinot Noir Red 2022 reveals a deeper character, with Morello cherry, blackberry and hints of blue fruit. Gentle oak ageing adds spice and a velvety finish- perfect alongside grilled meats or autumnal dishes.
Brenley’ s first sparkling wine, Blanc de Blancs 2019, made exclusively from estategrown chardonnay, was a sellout success. With delicate bubbles, green apple freshness and elegant poise, it remains a prized vintage among Brenley fans.
Looking ahead to 2026, Brenley will release two new traditional-method sparkling wines, likely featuring free-run chardonnay and pinot varieties. These bottles are expected to express the same purity, freshness and craftsmanship the estate is known for.
Brenley’ s vineyard tours and wine tastings have become a summer highlight for both locals and visitors. Guests explore scenic vine rows nestled among hop gardens and orchards before returning to the beautifully restored Grain Store for a guided tasting paired with local cheeses and Kentish views. These experiences, often sold out, offer an intimate insight into the vineyard’ s story and seasonal wines.
All wines are handpicked by Tom and his long-standing team, fermented with wild yeasts and bottled with no additives. Each vintage reflects the year’ s unique conditions- a celebration of authenticity and terroir.
Whether you’ re drawn to the floral brightness of Bacchus, the finesse of rosé, a structured pinot noir or the sparkle that’ s soon to come, Brenley Wine delivers a genuine taste of place, made with care, curiosity and character.
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