FOOD + DRINK
© David Charbit
myself stealing a moment on the balcony, gazing out across the stunning vines. With the sun beating down and the promise of another strong harvest ahead, it felt like one of those rare moments to pause and take it all in; a quiet admiration for the county we are fortunate enough to call home.
Soon enough, the scent of freshly made bread brought us inside The Hide. Led by head chef Anthony Coppard, we started with crab, sourdough, fennel and blood orange paired with- perhaps my favourite glass of the day- Gusbourne Blanc de Blanc 2020, a tipple bursting with soft notes of lemon and apple, wrapped up in an effortless and light blend.
Next came chicken with Owley Farm mushrooms and potato paired with a richer Brut Reserve 2022; slightly more rounded, well-suited to any dish and a firm favourite amongst the team. With the dessert option catching a few eyes around the table, the arrival of the rhubarb, ginger and vanilla sensationally paired with Gusbourne’ s 2019 rosé was a pure treat, eliciting warm smiles, rosy cheeks and plenty of praise all round.
But the real showstopper? A first look at the newly released 2025 rosé, only just available and still wonderfully fresh. Naturally, we couldn’ t resist trying a drop of the fantastically sweet addition to their evergrowing collection and it didn’ t take much convincing for a bottle( or two!) to make its way home with us.
Before saying our goodbyes, however, there was one final stop on the tour: production. A breezy, tucked-away space where grapes are pressed, bottles filled and wines left to age, it’ s where the magic happens and where those future awardwinners quietly wait their turn. What stood out most though was how something that still feels relatively new to the UK is being done with such confidence. Modern British winemaking may be young in comparison to its European counterparts, but it’ s clear that vineyards like Gusbourne Estate are not just keeping up, they’ re setting the pace.
In short, Gusbourne Estate, in all its entirety- from the 150 acres of flourishing vines to the standout kitchen team- is something to be celebrated. What started as a first glimpse into the world of wine quickly turned into a genuine appreciation and a place I’ d return to without hesitation.
gusbourne. com gusbourne _ wine www. insidekent. co. uk • 123