Jo
FOOD + DRINK
CHALK, WIND & VINES
SEKKOYA
Canterbury, sekkoya. co. uk
Set in the historic city centre of Canterbury, Sekkoya blends the spirit and vibrant tastes of Indian food with a local Kentish feel. The menu shines a spotlight on the flavourful wonders of Indian street food and family favourites, from the aromatic spices of tandoori chicken to the coastal flavours of Malabar prawn curry infused with a South Indian coconut sauce for a smooth finish. Each dish is crafted using fresh ingredients and balanced by a variety of continental wines and botanical cocktails, all complementing the rich aromas that permeate each small plate.
My house was built on chalk. My garden was chiselled out of it. The same chalk that runs under Kent’ s vineyards drains fast, stresses the vines just enough and produces grapes so good it keeps France’ s Champagne producers up at night. I also get the full weather punishment of the North Downs’ southern slopes- so I feel a certain kinship with the vines- and also a bit of astonishment that they grow so prolifically given I can barely keep a pot of mint alive.
Silverhand Estate in Luddesdown is one I know intimately- I was a farm hand on that land before a single vine was planted, managing Old Spot pigs and growing veg on the organic mixed farm it used to be. It’ s now the UK’ s largest single organic vineyard: 500 acres under vine, with the other half of the 900- acre estate given entirely to nature- which makes me happy because it’ s positively teeming with it. Their Charmat-method sparkling Silver Reign is fresh and floral- elderflower, pear, clean finish- and they’ re the UK’ s first carbon-negative winery, achieved without a single carbon offset.
Oast Wood near Tenterden is at the other end of the scale. The Sidebottom family has farmed there for 20 years and the sheep that grazed the fields still work the vineyard rows. Heavy horses manage the land. The vines grow between ancient bluebell woods and the family oast house, connected underground by a mycorrhizal network- roots and vines sharing resources through the soil.
Four Daughters in Maidstone are four sisters who are fourthgeneration fruit farmers, with four distinct personalities making wine that reflects all of them. Their Albariño- crisp, citrusy, awardwinning- really shouldn’ t work in Kent, but it absolutely does.
Warehorne Vineyard, overlooking Romney Marsh, planted 15,000 vines in 2020 and picked the first harvest by hand with neighbours and volunteers. That community spirit is still baked in and their Oasthouse Divico will blast every opinion you have about English reds out of the water.
English Wine Week runs from 20-28 June.
SOL Y SOMBRA TAPAS
Rochester, solysombratapas. co. uk
Tapas enthusiasts get ready to indulge in an authentic taste of Spain at Sol y Sombra Tapas, serving traditional and modern tapas dishes. Nestled in the historic cobbled streets of Rochester, choose from a wide range of nourishing dishes that combine small plates with big flavours, with ingredients sourced from Spanish suppliers and local producers across Kent and East Sussex. From pimientos de Padrón, small peppers fried and seasoned with salt, to torreznos, traditional pork belly pieces prepared in a Spanish style and infused with sweet and spicy flavours, each dish can be paired with a glass of wine or signature cocktail, all set within a friendly, social atmosphere perfect for a relaxed dining experience.
Our Wine Trails leaflet has everything you need to discover your new favourite vineyard: producedinkent. co. uk / experiences.
Jo
JO GURR MARKETING MANAGER producedinkent. co. uk producedinkent
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