insideKENT Magazine Issue 47 - February 2016 | Page 66
FOOD+DRINK
Pop open the bubbly cont.
Biddenden Vineyards
The Mount Vineyard // Shoreham // www.themountvineyard.co.uk
// Biddenden
// www.biddendenvineyards.com
The Mount Vineyard is situated in the idyllic village of Shoreham and
produces award-winning still and sparkling wines, including their special
rosé. This sparkling rosé has an elegant pink colour that is just bursting
with the aromas of fresh strawberries. Made from Seyval, Phoenix and
Pinot Noir grapes, the crisp, refreshing acidity supports the intense ripe
summer fruits. It won the silver medal in the International Wine & Spirit
Competition 2014.
Biddenden Vineyard is Kent’s oldest commercial
vineyard, having been established by the
Barnes family in 1969 to produce wines and
ciders. The vineyards are set in 23 acres on
a gentle south-facing slope in a shallow
sheltered valley, 1.2 miles from the lovely
Wealden village of Biddenden. Eleven varieties
of grapes are grown to produce white, red,
rosé and quality sparkling wines. Traditional
Kentish ciders have also been made here for
over 30 years together with farm pressed apple
and pear juices.
Herbert Hall // Marden // www.herberthall.com
Terlingham Vineyard // Folkestone // www.terlinghamvineyard.co.uk
Since its founding in 2007, the ‘under-the-radar’ boutique Herbert Hall
Winery in Marden has quietly built a reputation as one the UK’s foremost
sparkling wine producers. Herbert Hall has gained a loyal following at the
highest level with listings including the famous Ivy restaurant, Fortnum &
Mason, Annabel’s Night Club in Mayfair, Harvey Nichols and Harrods. Their
handmade wines were recently chosen by The Sunday Times, The Wall
Street Journal and The Field as among the very best in the world. The
winery even makes a limited edition blend for HRH The Prince of Wales
under his Highgrove label.
Terlingham Vineyard is nestled just above Folkestone on the Downs, with
fabulous views over the English Channel to France. This is a boutique
vineyard with 5,500 vines including Pinot Noir, Meunier, Chardonnay,
Bacchus, Dornfelder and Rondo.
In 2014, Terlingham joined forces with winemaker Kobus Louw, and
is working towards making the vineyard totally organic. Terlingham produces
80% sparkling wine – rose and white. They also make a delectable Bacchus
white wine and an exciting red wine using their Rondo and Doornfelder
grapes. Each of the wines has their own unique character.
Woodchurch Wine // Woodchurch // www.woodchurchwine.co.uk
Hush Heath // Staplehurst // www.hushheath.com
At Hush Heath Estate, it is believed that the finest wines can only be
produced from the finest fruit. Winemaking, therefore, starts in the vineyards.
Nestled among the rolling hills within the Garden of England, the vineyards
enjoy quiet serenity and a favourable microclimate supporting optimal
ripening conditions for their prized grapes. Only fruit grown within Hush
Heath Estate is used to create the wines and ciders made there.
Gusbourne // Appledore // www.gusbourne.com
Donna and Graham Barbour established their vineyard at Woodchurch in
the heart of Kent in 2010. After five years of hard work, they released two
award-winning wines from their first harvest in 2012. With their first production
run already almost sold out, the couple have just released their first sparkling
rosé wine. The wine has a beautiful bright salmon pink colour with wild
strawberries on the nose and raspberries, loganberries and crisp red apples
on the palate. With just 1,000 bottles available this is a perfect match for
a romantic Valentine celebration.
The original Gusbourne Estate in Appledore dates back to 1410. In 2004,
Andrew Weeber took over the estate with a clear vision and a single goal:
to create English sparkling wines that would stand up alongside the very
finest offerings from across the globe. The first vines were planted that year.
In 2010 the debut vintages of Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2006 and Gusbourne
Blanc de Blancs 2006 were released to critical acclaim. Gusbourne quickly
earned a reputation as a producer of outstanding quality wines, with
accolades from some of the industry's most exacting critics.
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