bench overlooking the young vines of Nannette’ s vineyard, but even then I saw the promise. Today, Balfour boasts an impressive visitor centre, a restaurant and a terrace perfect for enjoying a glass of their signature Balfour Brut Rosé. Inspired by Richard Balfour’ s love of fine sparkling rosé, this wine captures the very essence of Kent in every sip.
For those seeking heritage, Squerryes vineyard is a must-visit. A familyrun estate with a deep connection to the land, their restaurant showcases the best of local produce, combining food, wine and tradition. During the pandemic, their farm shop became a lifeline for me, with a bottle of Squerryes Blanc de Blancs becoming an essential part of my weekly shopping.
At Simpsons’ Wine Estate, history meets innovation. Their Rabbit Hole Pinot Noir proves that England can produce reds with depth and character, while their Roman Road vineyard, once cultivated by the Romans, adds an interesting historical layer to their wines.
And then there’ s Gusbourne. Since its inception in 2004, Gusbourne has set the benchmark for English Sparkling Wine. With its vast skies and sundrenched vines, the estate produces exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Under the leadership of Mary Bridges, the new head winemaker, Gusbourne continues to push boundaries, cementing its place at the forefront of English winemaking.
HONOURING TRADITION, EMBRACING THE FUTURE No exploration of Kent’ s wine scene is complete without a visit to Biddenden Vineyards. Ortega is their signature grape, producing aromatic, textured and unique wines. Biddenden also crafts small-batch wines, including a rare English Gewürztraminer that’ s perfect for lovers of expressive, floral whites. The oldest vines, dating back to 1972, form the foundation for some of the estate’ s finest wines. Each twisted branch tells a story of resilience, tradition and the evolution of English viticulture.
A short drive away is Chapel Down, perhaps England’ s most famous winery. Head winemaker Josh Donaghay-Spire’ s unwavering vision has helped produce worldclass wines. Their Blanc de Blancs and still Chardonnay are particular favourites of mine.“ Chardonnay thrives on chalk,” he once told me, and Kent’ s chalk-rich soils- so similar to Champagne’ s- are proving him right. Chapel Down’ s visitor experience is among the best, with vineyard tours and dining at The Swan restaurant, where local ingredients meet expertly paired wines.
At Westwell Wines, the future of English wine is being rewritten. They were the first English vineyard to experiment with amphoraaged wines, keg format wines and innovative techniques like pét-nats and skin-contact styles. Westwell is more than just a vineyard; it’ s a local hub, hosting community events and engaging with visitors in creative ways. One of my highlights this year was attending a screen printing workshop- art with a glass in hand!
A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR ENGLISH WINE
Perhaps the most exciting chapter in Kent’ s wine story is still to come. Domaine Evremond, founded by Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger and Patrick McGrath, is set to bring Champagne heritage to England. Their cellar door opened this year, blending French expertise with Kentish terroir, potentially redefining English Sparkling Wine.
The passion, perseverance and innovation shaping this industry is truly inspiring. I am privileged to be a tiny part of this remarkable journey. These estates are more than just production sites, they are destinations offering unforgettable experiences, world-class wines and a glimpse into the exciting future of English winemaking. Whether you’ re a seasoned connoisseur or simply seeking a peaceful countryside retreat, the Wine Garden of England is a journey worth taking.
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