ALICE GRIFFITHS: ENGLISH WINE BRAND AMBASSADOR
A Walk Through the Wine Garden of England
When people ask me why I’ m so passionate about English wine, my answer is simple:“ Have you tasted it lately?” The quiet revolution in our vineyards over the past few decades is truly remarkable. At the heart of this movement is Kent, the Wine Garden of England. What started with pioneers like Biddenden has blossomed into a thriving industry producing worldclass wines that stand proudly alongside their European counterparts.
Twelve years ago, I moved from Newcastle to Kent. London felt overwhelming, so I chose the rolling
countryside. As an avid walker and smallholder at the time, I spent my days exploring footpaths and farmland. It wasn’ t just the scenery that caught my eye, it was the neat rows of vines. Vineyards in England? My curiosity grew and, before long, my passing interest turned into a full-blown passion.
Kent’ s vineyards are more than just sources of exceptional wine; they tell stories of place, resilience and craftsmanship. Each bottle reflects the land it comes from; a perfect blend of tradition and modern innovation. With wine tourism rising, now is the ideal time to explore this landscape, where every sip offers a taste of English terroir.
A TOUR OF KENT’ S VINEYARDS My journey through Kent’ s wine country begins at Yotes Court, my local vineyard( because in Kent, we have local vineyards, not pubs). Nestled on the edge of the Weald of Kent, Yotes Court is committed to sustainability, using precision viticulture to care for the land while producing wines of elegance and finesse. A visit to Yotes is always a joy, with its striking use of colour, bold labelling and pops of polka dots- a nod to owner Susannah Ricci’ s exciting links to horse racing.
From Yotes Court, the road leads to Balfour Winery, a pioneer in English wine tourism. My first visit was nothing more than a picnic
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