STORY
KENT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GOOD AT GROWING THINGS- APPLES, HOPS, VINES, IDEAS- WHAT’ S CHANGED IS HOW FAR THESE THINGS NOW TRAVEL. INCREASINGLY, SOME OF THE COUNTY’ S MOST SUCCESSFUL BRANDS HAVEN’ T BEEN BORN IN BOARDROOMS OR INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, BUT AT KITCHEN TABLES, IN BARNS, VINEYARDS, WORKSHOPS AND SMALL-SCALE SHOPS; PLACES WHERE AMBITION, ROOTED FIRMLY IN LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, HAS TAKEN TIME TO EVOLVE. WHAT UNITES THEM IS NOT SCALE FOR SCALE’ S SAKE, BUT THE CONFIDENCE TO GROW OUTWARD WHILE STAYING UNMISTAKABLY KENTISH.
BY POLLY HUMPHRIS
From Vines to the Global Stage
Few brands capture Kent’ s modern success story quite like Chapel Down. Founded in the early 2000s( when the international market still saw English wine as something of a novelty), the Tenterden-based producer backed a long-term view, betting on Kent’ s climate, chalky soils and the admirable patience required to build credibility bottle by bottle. Two decades on, Chapel Down is no longer a regional outsider but a national leader, with wines stocked across the UK and a vision that stretches well beyond it.
Crucially, that vision has never been about shedding its roots and Kent remains central to Chapel Down’ s story in terms of the vineyards, the winemaking expertise built over years and the confidence to talk about English sparkling wine on a global stage. As CEO Andrew Carter has put it:“ The vision is to change the world’ s perception of English wine forever.” It’ s a bold statement, but one that’ s firmly grounded in place and the belief that Kent’ s landscape can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’ s great wine regions.
That sense of place-driven confidence is echoed at Gusbourne, another Kentish vineyard that’ s played a pivotal role in shifting international perceptions of English wine. Established in 2004, Gusbourne set out with an uncompromising focus on quality, drawing heavily on the terroir of its Kent and Sussex vineyards, and recognition naturally followed.
“ We are the first English wine producer to win a King’ s Award for Enterprise and the only English vineyard to be listed in the World’ s Top 50 Vineyards.”
- Jonathon White, Gusbourne CEO
In 2025, Gusbourne proudly grabbed the 28th spot in The World’ s 50 Best Vineyards, a global list that celebrates not only wine quality but the vineyard experience itself. Alongside this, the estate has amassed top-level accolades at international competitions including the Champagne
& Sparkling Wine World Championships, and the Decanter World Wine Awards, with individual bottlings receiving standout scores including a 96-point rating for its Blanc de Blancs Late Disgorged 2013.
The ability to export has now moved beyond aspiration and into infrastructure- Gusbourne now ships to 37 international markets and, in 2024, won a King’ s Award for Enterprise for International Trade- global recognition built squarely on Kentish soil.
Local Flavour with National Appetite
Wine may be one of Kent’ s most visible exports, but food tells an equally compelling story, not least via Kent Crisps, which was founded in 2011 and began with the simple idea to hand-cook crisps inspired by flavours, produce and places across Kent. What has followed is steady, strategic growth built on quality, distinctive flavour combinations and packaging that wears its county roots with pride.
Today, the brand sits on shelves far beyond Kent- and far beyond the UK, in fact, with Kent Crisps now exported to over 10 countries including Hong Kong, the USA and Singapore, and distribution reaching as far as Australia. Recognition has since followed in tangible ways, with founder Laura Bounds awarded an MBE for Services to International Trade and being served as a UK Export Champion. The brand has even secured high-profile international listings, including an incredible export deal supplying Disney World.
What’ s striking is that this expansion hasn’ t diluted the brand’ s original identity. The flavours remain grounded in British produce, the storytelling stays local and the visuals on its packaging( including Leeds Castle, Turner Contemporary and Whitstable’ s famous beach huts) still celebrate the county that inspired it.
Food retail may take a different form at Faversham favourite Macknade, but the same principles apply. What began as a family grocer has evolved into one of the South East’ s most respected food halls, with a name that’ s now recognised well
GUSBOURNE
KENT CRISPS www. insidekent. co. uk • 185