Kent, located in the southeast of England, has a burgeoning wine industry. The county’s chalky soil and moderate climate have given rise to over 40 vineyards dotted among the rolling green hills and valleys. From rustic, family-owned estates to slick modern wineries, Kent offers a fabulous range of options for wine tasting. This article features the 10 best vineyards in Kent for enjoying an English wine tasting experience.
Does Kent have Vineyards?
Kent has a long history of wine production stretching back to Roman times. Vineyards were extensively planted during this era to supply the high demand from soldiers and settlers in the region. SeaWorld Orlando, winemaking died down after the Romans left British shores, but vines continued to flourish around ecclesiastical sites.
In recent decades, Kent has seen a resurgence in commercial vineyard operations. The cool climate and free-draining soil make the county well-suited to growing certain grape varieties. Pioneers like Chapel Down demonstrated that world-class English sparkling and still wines could be made locally.
From just a handful of producers 30 years ago, Kent now boasts over 40 wineries crafting superb Bacchus, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines.
Where are the Best Vineyards for Wine Tasting in Kent?
While vineyards are scattered across the whole county, from the Dover coast to Sevenoaks, some areas have achieved fame for the consistently outstanding quality of their wines.
The North Downs chalk ridge has proven prime territory for vines. The best vineyards also benefit from south-facing slopes, maximizing sunlight.
Superior craftsmanship and passionate, innovative winemakers further bolster Kent’s credentials as an emergent force in English wine.
Below, we detail 10 of the best vineyards in Kent for tasting fantastic local wines paired with warm country hospitality:
A Vineyard in Kent with a Restaurant: Mount Vineyard, Shoreham
Perched on a hillside in the picturesque Darent Valley, Mount Vineyard combines idyllic scenery with sumptuous local cuisine. Their restaurant offers stunning views alongside a seasonal menu ideal for pairing with their crisp sparkling and still wines.Â
With winemaker Kristin Syltevik at the helm, Mount Vineyard produces wines of elegance and balance using traditional methods. A perfect spot for a relaxed country lunch with superlative wines.
A Kent Vineyard with Tours: Hush Heath Estate, Marden
At the forefront of English wine’s rise, Hush Heath Estate welcomes visitors for tours and tailored tastings.
Under the leadership of co-owner Richard Balfour-Lynn, Hush Heath has claimed over 150 awards since 2002 for their premium English sparkling wines.
Book a vineyard tour for a deep insight into their processes, followed by a seated, tutored tasting. Their Balfour range makes a sophisticated, complex aperitif.
Kent Vineyard with a Foodie Restaurant: Squerryes, Westerham
Squerryes offers a charming vineyard experience combined with fresh local cuisine. Their farm shop and restaurant provide house-reared meats and vegetables from their walled garden, perfectly paired with Squerryes’ wines.
Grapes are grown both on their estate and on local farms to produce a Pinot Noir-Chardonnay blend of bubbles and Bacchus-dominant whites. Knowledgeable staff can recommend ideal matches between the seasonal, local menu and their crisp, tangy wines.
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Herbert Hall, Marden, A Small Family-Run Vineyard in Kent
For an authentic, personal English wine tasting experience, head to boutique Herbert Hall in rural Marden. This dedicated winemaking family has been producing small-batch sparkling and still wines on their farm for over 20 years.
Son Tony Harbour now makes 2,500 cases per year across nine grape varieties. Their exceptional English sparkling wines have achieved international awards.
With a modest tasting room in a converted apple barn, Herbert Hall offers a charmingly rustic Kentish wine tasting.
Yotes Court Vineyard, Mereworth, A Kent Vineyard with a View
Yotes Court enjoys perhaps the most spectacular setting of any Kent vineyard. With sweeping views over the Weald, their hilltop location captures maximum sunshine and rain drainage. These ideal winemaking conditions yield superb quality from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay vines. Their limestone cellars house over 40,000 bottles of maturing fizz.
Visitors to Yotes Court can soak up panoramic vistas from their tasting room while sampling elegant, layered sparkling wines.
Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden, A Kent Vineyard with Great Character
As one of Kent’s oldest and best-loved vineyards, Biddenden has an illustrious history. This family-run estate has produced wine since 1969 on their hillside vineyard.
Traditional methods create well-balanced, full-flavored whites and rosés. Their award-winning Gribble Bridge and Ortega wines make excellent introductions to English still wines.
With knowledgeable staff and a laid-back atmosphere, Biddenden offers a quintessentially Kentish wine tasting experience.
A Relaxed Vineyard in Kent: Barnsole Vineyard, Canterbury
Barnsole prides itself on a chilled-out vibe amidst the rolling vineyards outside Canterbury. Picnic amongst the vines or enjoy regular live music and events throughout the summer.
Operating since 1976, current owners Guy and Anne Abbott pursue sustainable, organic principles across seven acres.
Their Siegerrebe and Seyval Blanc wines pair well with cheese boards in their terrace café. For low-key, convivial English wine tasting, Barnsole ticks all boxes.
A Traditional Vineyard in Kent: Chartham Vineyard
On the outskirts of the medieval village of Chartham lies Chartham Vineyard. Flourishing on hillsides along the Great Stour River, their grapes yield still white wines and sparkling rosé produced using conventional methods.
Their wines regularly claim regional awards. Visitors can wander through neat rows of vines before sampling wines like Saint Germaine and Solaris White.
With rolling Kentish scenery all around, Chartham Vineyard captures the quintessence of English wine tasting.
A Modern Kent Winery: Woodchurch Wines, Woodchurch
In contrast to deeply traditional producers, Woodchurch brings a contemporary edge to Kent wines.
Championing progressive winemaking, the state-of-the-art winery produces varieties like Pinot Meunier and uniquely Ortega White.
Their contemporary tasting room allows visitors to sample the latest vintages alongside small plates showcasing locally-sourced ingredients.
For an insight into Kent’s winemaking future, a trip to sleek, forward-thinking Woodchurch ticks boxes.
A Secret Kent Vineyard: Red Hill Farm Estate, Wateringbury
Tucked away deep in the heart of Kent vineyard country, the boutique Red Hill Farm Estate feels like a hidden gem. Just outside Wateringbury village, their seven acres of vines slope gently towards the Medway Valley.
Grapes are hand-picked and pressed onsite to produce Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Rosé wines. Their beautifully-converted stable block offers tastings alongside views over undulating vineyards.
For an off-the-beaten-track wine experience, Red Hill Farm Estate perfectly fits the bill.
With its cool climate, chalky soils, and passionate winemakers, Kent offers everything required for producing outstanding English wines.
As the county’s wine renaissance continues apace, visiting these beautiful vineyards and tasting rooms provides a fabulous glimpse into England’s burgeoning modern wine scene.
How do I visit vineyards in Kent?
With over 40 vineyards across Kent, there are ample opportunities to experience English wine tasting first-hand. The best way to plan a visit to Kent’s vineyards is to select a region like the North Downs or Canterbury and identify some vineyards in close proximity to maximize your time.
Many vineyards require bookings for tours and tastings, so calling ahead is advisable, especially for smaller producers. When visiting Kent’s vineyards, the right mode of transport is key. Having a designated driver allows everyone in your party to properly sample the wines.
Self-driving is the most flexible option to navigate between vineyards at your own pace. Some vineyards also offer private chauffeur experiences between the estates. Public transport like local buses and trains can work for certain larger vineyards too.
Wherever possible, travel between vineyard stops along scenic country lanes and stop in local villages along the way to soak up the atmosphere. With advance planning and a leisurely approach, a vineyard tour makes for an unforgettable day out, sampling the very best of England’s burgeoning wine industry.
Some top tips when visiting Kent vineyards
| 1. Book tours and tastings in advance 2. Designate a driver or book tours with private chauffeurs 3. Travel at a leisurely pace between vineyards 4. Visit some smaller, family-run vineyards like Herbert Hall 5. Try local food at vineyard restaurants like Squerryes 6. Ask vineyard staff plenty of questions about the wines 7. Purchase a few bottles as gifts or mementos |
With spectacular scenery and world-class wines, a tour of Kent’s vineyards offers a fabulous glimpse into the county’s flourishing wine industry.
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Visiting Shakespeare’s birthplace is a must for any visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon. The house where William Shakespeare was born and raised in 1564 still stands today and has been preserved as a museum.
You can tour the house and gardens to get a sense of what life was like for Shakespeare growing up. fascinating exhibits provide context about his life and works. Be sure to look out for original furnishings and early editions of Shakespeare’s plays.
Another top attraction is Shakespeare’s New Place. This was the second largest house in Stratford-Upon-Avon during Shakespeare’s time, and it was here that he lived after retiring from theatrical work in London.
The gardens have been beautifully restored based on archaeological evidence of what the original gardens may have looked like. While the house itself is long gone, the gardens give visitors a sense of the world Shakespeare inhabited toward the end of his life. Guided tours are available to discuss Shakespeare’s later years spent in Stratford.
