Inspiration

Sparkling days out: wine tours and tastings in Kent

Guest Expert

5 min read

With a long-standing reputation for growing hops and soft fruit thanks to a gentle microclimate warmed by the sea, Kent is now firmly on any self-respecting vinophiles map. A clutch of vineyards, each with their own distinctive terroir, produce award-winning wines, both still and sparkling. And best of all, most of them offer tours and tastings, cheese pairings and three-course lunches, masterclasses and DIY visits. Get your timings right and you can help with the harvest at Chapel Down, which also has an excellent on-site restaurant where each dish can be paired with wine, if you wish. Come to marvel at the marching rows of vines and feel close to nature as you walk through wildflower meadows and woodland where you may spot buzzards and shy deer. Wine Tours of Kent can even bring the experience to you!

Tagged with:

kent

Gusbourne

Andrew Weeber, founder of Gusbourne, says that, “making exceptional wine takes craftsmanship, respect for nature… and uncompromising attention to detail.” Established in 2004, this 60-hectare vineyard in Appledore, works with the land, encouraging biodiversity by championing a low-intervention, sustainable approach to vineyard management. Given that they’re the only three-time winner of the IWSC English Wine Producer of the Year, they must be onto something. Working in harmony with the grape harvest results in riper, intensely flavourful fruit which is a product of the distinct terroir married with an exceptionally mild microclimate. Come for the full tour, tastings of still or sparkling flights or sign up for a masterclass which includes a three-course lunch. On a sunny summer’s day, enjoy a romantic picnic for two with tasting.

Stay in Ashford at Hereford Oast, an oast house B&B surrounded by countryside and with a blooming garden; walk to the village pub, drive to nearby stately castles and Gusbourne vineyard.

View Hereford Oast >

Chapel Down

Positioned in rippling Kent countryside, close to the picturesque market town of Tenterden, award-winning vineyard, Chapel Down, offers year-round guided tours of the vineyard and winery, unique experiences and the opportunity to get involved with the harvest in season. You’ll leave armed with tons of viticulture knowledge. Round off your visit with lunch at the light and airy 2AA rosette Swan restaurant. Menus are packed with the freshest, locally sourced ingredients and each dish comes with a recommended wine pairing, all chosen from the vineyard’s array of sparkling and still wines. For special occasions book the private dining room, seating up to 18. Dogs are welcome in the restaurant but must be kept on a lead in the grounds.

Stay in a rural spot between Benenden and Tenterden at Beacon Hall House, with views over the Wealden countryside, homemade cake, eggs from the hens, country-house comfort… a friendly home and host. Good dinners too!

View Beacon Hall House >

Balfour Winery

Award-winning Balfour Wines, first harvested and bottled in 2004 on the 200-acre Hush Heath Estate, is a delight for nature lovers (you may spot barn owls, fallow deer and buzzards) as much as wine lovers. Ancient oak woodlands, wildflower meadows and apple orchards frame the hardy rows of vines, all waiting to be explored independently or on a guided tour. Located on either clay, chalk or greensand each vineyard’s unique terroir crafts a unique tipple. There are tasting masterclasses on offer, wine and dine experiences and live music evenings. The estate own a clutch of lovely local gastropubs, including Goudhurst Inn, just a few minute’s drive from the vineyard.

Stay a 20 minute drive away at Hensill Farmhouse, a very thoughtful and peaceful house with a garden for happy holidays with family or friends, surrounded by glorious countryside for walks.

View Hensill Farmhouse >

The Mount Vineyard

In the heart of the splendid Darent Valley, framed by purple fields of lavender, the picture-postcard village of Shoreham is home to The Mount Vineyard. First planted in 2004, today you can sample eight varieties of wine from 10 acres of vines and take part in fun and informative wine tasting tours along with still and sparkling wine flights in summer. Winter tastings happen in front of the roaring log burner. Opt for an international wine and cheese tasting experience, each with a different regional focus. Stop for stone-baked pizzas and platters for lunch in the bright and breezy restaurant. Finish up at the boutique shop, well-stocked with bottles, hampers and gifts to take home.

Hop over the border to Sussex and stay a 30 minute drive away at The Dorset Arms where you can tramp through Pooh Bear’s 100 Acre Wood to this outstanding historic pub with lovely rooms and tempting food.

View The Dorset Arms >

Wine Tours of Kent

An ingenious idea that takes away the designated driver issue. Let Wine Tours of Kent host a wine tasting at your self-catering accommodation anywhere in Kent. The tasting package includes a qualified wine guide to host your event, tasting notes, food pairing suggestion, glasses and ice buckets. Each event is bespoke and created just for your group, with fancy food pairing, local cheeses or a fun ‘Spot the Champagne’ game, all can be arranged. This is one for the vinophiles: it’s sure to be a fun and light-hearted way to taste a range of Kent wines and learn all about the history and wine making process in England.

View all our special places to stay in Kent >

Carmen McCormack

Guest Expert

Carmen is a freelance writer specialising in travel. She once lived in a bus in north Wales, skipped off to study in Barcelona, and now calls Bristol home. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she can be found reading (a lot), lake swimming (a little), and pottering on the allotment with husband and two kiddos. She’s currently dreaming about cold cerveza and torta in Mexico.

View more articles by this author