Kent’s Vineyard Trail: 13 Hidden Gems & Award-Winning Wine Estates

When I moved to Kent about 27 years ago, English wine was quite a rare thing and there were only few vineyards in Kent, such as Biddenden, Chapel Down, Barnsole and later on Gusbourne.

Fast forward to 2025 and there are over 50 vineyards in Kent, which makes Kent the biggest wine growing region of UK. This is mainly, as I understand, because the weather is very mild in winter and hot in summer and the type of soil we have in Kent helps to produce good grapes.

I’ve noticed that especially in the last 5-7 years even more vineyards started, such as Warehorne, Yotes Court Vineyard, Mereworth Wines or Brenley, including a new trend in rose and sparkling wines that are winning awards around the world.

Most of the large vineyards offer tours and wine tastings and practically all the vineyards have a wine or farm shop on site, so you can visit and buy a bottle to take home.

Over the years, I’ve visited so many Kent’s vineyeards, but I know that my current list of the 13 amazing vineyards in Kent is far from complete.

There are even more Kent vineyards, that I’m looking forward to explore (and taste their wine) in near future and these include: Meophams Valley, Silverhand Estate, Yotes Court, Redhill Farm Estate, Herbert Hall Organic Vinery, Nine Oaks, Mudwall Wines, Wayfarer Wines, Terlingham, Davenport, Elham Valley, Little Busted, Brenley and Heppington.

1. Warehorne Vineyard

Warehorne Vineyard is a family-owned and run vineyard in the heart of the Kent countryside very close to the village of Warehorne. The Warehorne Vineyard is one of the newest vineyards in Kent. Originally founded in 2020, the first grapes harvest was in 2022.

The vineyard is about 10.2 hectares and specializes in producing high-quality red, white, and rosé wines from Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Cabernet Noir, and Regent grapes varieties.

TOURS & WINE TASTINGS

The vineyeard runs regular guided tours (Saturday & Sunday) and wine tasting experiences, where you can explore the vineyard, learn about English winemaking, and sample their exquisite wines. The guided tour costs £15 and takes about 90 minutes. The tour is run by an experienced member of the vineyard team and there is even a wine tasting at the end of the tour.

WINE SHOP

You can buy a selection of the vineyard’s wines directly from the vineyard as well as from their own website.

• Location: Warehorne Road, Warehorne, Kent
• Opening Times: Saturdays & Sundays 10 am – 5 pm
• Wine Prices: from £17.99 – £30.99 per bottle

2. Biddenden Vineyard

Jumping from the youngest to the oldest, Biddenden Vineyard is the oldest commercial vineyard in Kent. The vineyard was established in 1969 by the Barnes family and is still today run and managed by the second and third generations of the same family.

Biddenden grows twelve varieties of grapes across 23 acres, producing award-winning white, rosé, red, and sparkling English wines. It’s amazing to know, that the eleven of the original German vines that were planted back in 1969 are still producing grapes today.

TOURS & WINE TASTINGS

You can explore the vineyard through self-guided tours, which run from May to September at £12 per person and include a tasting flight of 3 of their wines. Private guided tours for groups of up to 8 people are also available, offering an in-depth insight into Biddenden Vineyards’ history and winemaking.

WINE SHOP

The vineyard also has a shop that is open daily, stocking a range of goods produced in Kent and you can also purchase Biddenden’s products online as well.

• Location: Gribble Bridge Lane Biddenden, Ashford Kent, TN27 8DF
• Opening Times: The vineyard shop is open daily from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays
• Wine Prices: from £12 to £30 per bottle, depending on the type and vintage

3. Chapel Down Winery

Chapel Down Winery is the second oldest vineyards in Kent (and the biggest wine producer in Kent and the whole England), which has been producing high-quality sparkling and still wines since 1977. The winery was founded by David Cowderoy and is currently owned by Chapel Down Group PLC.

Chapel Down grows a variety of vine grapes, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier, Bacchus, and Albariño, across 25 acres of their vineyards. The winery has won several awards for their sparkling wines, which have been served at prestigious events such as the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.

Apart from wine, Chapel Down also produce their own gin, vodka and brandy called Bacchus.

TOURS & WINE TASTING

• Guided Tour & Tasting: £25 per person. Includes a guided tour of the vineyards and winery, followed by a tutored tasting of 3 wines.
• Self-Guided Vineyard Tour: If you prefer, you can also follow the vineyard map and walk around the vineyard yourself
• Vineyard Top Table Experience: £70 per person. Includes a guided tour, a tutored tasting of 6 wines, and a 3-course lunch at The Swan Restaurant.
• Ultimate Experience: £100 per person. Includes a guided tour, a tutored tasting of 8 wines, a 3-course lunch at The Swan Restaurant, and a gift bag.

WINE SHOP

The winery has a shop where you can purchase wines, spirits, and other merchandise as well as online shop.

• Location: Chapel Down Winery, Small Hythe, Tenterden Kent, TN30 7NG
• Opening Times: The Chapel Down shop is open daily from 10am to 5pm. The Swan Restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 8pm.
• Wine Prices: from £14.99 – £100 per bottle

4. Gusbourne Vineyard

Gusbourne is a prestigious English wine producer originally founded in 2004 by Andrew Weeber, who had a vision to create high-quality English sparkling wines that could rival the best in the world.

Today, Gusbourne is owned by Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC, who became the majority shareholder in 2013. The company is run by CEO Charlie Holland and his dedicated team.

Gusbourne owns 90 hectares (222 acres) of vineyards across Kent and West Sussex, with 60 hectares in Appledore, Kent, and 30 hectares in West Sussex. They primarily grow the three classic Champagne grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, which are ideally suited for the production of premium sparkling wines.

Gusbourne sparkling wines have consistently won prestigious awards, including the “English Wine Producer of the Year” title at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in 2013 and 2015.

TOURS & WINE TASTING

• Discovery Tour: £25 per person. Includes a guided tour of the vineyards and winery, followed by a tutored tasting of three wines. Duration: 1.5 hours .
• Estate Tour: £50 per person. Includes a more in-depth guided tour, a tutored tasting of five wines, and a three-course lunch. Duration: 3 hours.

WINE SHOP

• Location: Gusbourne Estate Kenardington Road Appledore Ashford Kent, TN26 2BE
• Opening Times: The Nest visitor center is open for tours and tastings from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Advance booking is required.

• Brut Reserve (Sparkling): £39.00
• Rosé (Sparkling): £49.00
• Blanc de Blancs (Sparkling): £59.00
• Pinot Noir (Red): £35.00
• Chardonnay Guinevere (White): £35.00

5. Chartham Vineyard

Chartham Vineyard is a family-owned vineyard established in 2013 by Dr Roz Waller and her husband Richard Goodenough, who had a passion for wine and a desire to create their own vineyard.

The vineyard is currently owned and managed by the Waller-Goodenough family, with their son overseeing the day-to-day operations.

Chartham Vineyard grows a variety of grape varieties, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, which are used to produce their range of still and sparkling wines.

Chartham Vineyard shares the same soil type as some of the famous vineyards in the Champagne region of France, which is perfect for producing high-quality sparkling wines.

TOURS & WINE TASTING

You can take a guided tour of the vineyard, which includes a walk through the vines and a tutored wine tasting. The tours are available on Saturdays at 11am and 2pm and must be pre-booked.

WINE SHOP

• Location: Burnt House Farm, Station Road, Chartham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 7HU
• Opening Times: The vineyard also has a wine shop that is open on Saturdays from 10:30am to 5pm, where you
• Wine Prices: Bacchus: £16.95 per bottle, Pinot Noir 2018: £16.95 per bottle, Pinot Gris: Price ranges from £14-17 per bottle, Bacchus Reserve, Sparkling Blanc de Blancs, Sparkling Rosé

6. Barnsole Vineyard

Barnsole Vineyard is a family-owned vineyard established in 1993 by the Lind family, who had a passion for wine and a desire to create their own vineyard.

The vineyard is currently owned and managed by the second generation of the Lind family, with siblings Philip and Catherine Lind at the helm.

Barnsole Vineyard grows a variety of grape varieties across 10 acres of their land, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Bacchus, and Ortega, which are used to produce their range of still and sparkling wines.

Barnsole Vineyard was one of the first vineyards in Kent to grow Pinot Noir grapes, which are notoriously difficult to cultivate in the English climate.

TOURS & WINE TASTING

Barnsole Vineyard offers guided tours of the vineyard, which include a walk through the vines, a visit to the winery, and a tutored wine tasting.

• Guided Tour: £2.50 per person. Booking is required via email or telephone.
• Free Mini-Tour: Lasts 20 minutes and does not require booking.

WINE SHOP

• Location: Barnsole Vineyard Fleming Road Staple Canterbury Kent, CT3 1LG
• Opening Times: The vineyard shop is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 10am to 4pm

• Barnsole Sparkling Rosé: £26.00
• Barnsole Sparkling White: £26.00
• Barnsole Red Pinot Noir: £14.50
• Barnsole White Ortega: £10.50

7. Balfour Vineyard

Balfour Vineyard, also known as Hush Heath Estate, is a prestigious wine producer established in 2002 by Richard Balfour-Lynn, who had a vision to create a world-class winery in the heart of the “Garden of England”.

Today, the vineyard is still owned and managed by the Balfour-Lynn family, with Richard’s son, Luke, overseeing the winemaking process.

Balfour Vineyard grows a variety of grape varieties across its 400-acre estate, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Bacchus. These grapes are used to produce their award-winning range of sparkling and still wines, as well as ciders and spirits. The estate spans across 400 acres, with approximately 30 acres dedicated to vineyards.

Balfour Vineyard sparkling rosé, Balfour Brut Rosé, was served at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.

TOURS & VINE TASTING

• Balfour Tour & Tasting: £25 per person. Includes a guided tour of the vineyards and winery, followed by a tutored tasting of six wines. Duration: 1.5 hours .
• Estate Tour & Tasting: £35 per person. Includes a more in-depth guided tour, a tutored tasting of six wines and ciders, and a gift bag. Duration: 2 hours.
• Luxury Tour & Tasting: £50 per person. Includes a guided tour, a tutored tasting of six premium wines, a gift bag, and a seasonal three-course lunch at the Balfour Kitchen. Duration: 3 hours .

WINE SHOP

• Location: Balfour Vineyard (Hush Heath Estate), Five Oak Lane, Staplehurst Tonbridge Kent, TN12 0HT
• Opening Times: The Cellar Door shop is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

• Balfour Brut Rosé (Sparkling): £40.00
• Balfour Leslie’s Reserve (Sparkling): £28.00
• Hush Heath Estate Pinot Noir (Red): £25.00
• Hush Heath Estate Skye’s English Chardonnay (White): £18.00

8. Squerryes Vineyard

Squerryes Vineyard is a historic estate, which has been owned by the Warde family since 1731. The vineyard was established in 2006 by Henry Warde, the 8th generation of the family.

Today, the vineyard is managed by Henry Warde and his wife Claire, who oversee the production of their award-winning English sparkling wines.

Squerryes Vineyard grows the three classic Champagne grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The estate spans across 2,500 acres of land, with 35 acres dedicated to vineyards.

TOURS & WINE TASTING

• Vineyard Tour & Tasting: £32 per person. Includes a guided walk through the vines, a visit to the winery, and a tutored tasting of three sparkling wines. Duration: 1.5 hours.
• Estate Tour & Tasting: £50 per person. Includes a more comprehensive guided tour of the estate and vineyard, a tutored tasting of four sparkling wines, and a seasonal lunch platter. Duration: 2.5 hours.

WINE SHOP

• Location: Squerryes Court, Westerham Kent, TN16 1QA
• Opening Times: The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

• Squerryes Brut Reserve 2016: £35.00
• Squerryes Rosé 2016: £37.00
• Squerryes Blanc de Blancs 2014: £45.00
• Squerryes Late Disgorged 2011: £75.00

9. Mount Vineyard

The Mount Vineyard is a family-owned boutique vineyard originally founded in 2004 and purchased by Simon and Lyssa Greenwood in 2011.

Two decades later and their son James also works in the family business as he oversees the winemaking process.

The Mount Vineyard grows eight grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Bacchus, Regent, and Ortega. The whole estate is 28 acres, with 10 acres dedicated to vineyards.

TOURS & WINE TASTING

Guided tours and tastings on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 12:30 and 14:30 are £35 per person. Includes a guided tour of the vineyard, followed by a tutored tasting of their still and sparkling wines. Duration: 1.5 hours

WINE SHOP

• Location: Church Street, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 7SD
• Opening Times: The vineyard shop, “Our Ten Acres Shop”, is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm

• The Mount Vineyard Sparkling Rosé 2016: £29.95
• The Mount Vineyard Sparkling White 2015: £27.95
• The Mount Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018: £19.95
• The Mount Vineyard Bacchus 2019: £14.95

10. Simpsons Vineyard

Simpsons’ Wine Estate is a family-owned vineyard established in 2014 by Ruth and Charles Simpson, who had previously owned and operated a successful vineyard in France.

Today, the vineyard is still owned and managed by Ruth and Charles Simpson, along with their son Cameron, who is the head winemaker.

Simpsons’ Wine Estate grows three main grape varieties across its 30 acres of their vineyards: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.

TOURS & WINE TASTING

Simpsons’ Wine Estate offers guided tours and tastings on Saturdays and some Friday afternoons and are £45 per person. Includes a guided tour of the vineyards and winery, followed by a tutored tasting of their still and sparkling wines. Duration: 2 hours

WINE SHOP

• Location: Simpsons’ Wine Estate , Barham Lane, Barham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6PB
• Opening Times: The Glasshouse Tasting Room is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm

• Simpsons’ Chalklands Classic Cuvée 2017: £28.00
• Simpsons’ Flint Fields Blanc de Noirs 2018: £40.00
• Simpsons’ Roman Road Chardonnay 2020: £19.00
• Simpsons’ Railway Hill Rosé 2020: £18.00

11. Woolton Farm Vineyard

Woolton Farm is a family-owned vineyard established in 2014 by the Mount family, who have been farming fruit in the area for four generations.

Today, the vineyard is owned and managed by James and Fiona Mount, along with their son Jack, who oversees the winemaking process.

Woolton Farm grows a variety of grape varieties across its 20 acres of land dedicated to vineyards, including Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris. These grapes are used to produce their range of still and sparkling wines .

TOURS & WINE TASTING

You can explore the vineyard through guided tours and tastings, which take place from April to September at 2:30 pm. The “Woolton Wine Tour and Tasting” experience costs £20 per person and includes a guided walk through the vineyards, followed by a tasting of five of their exceptional wines.

WINE SHOP

The vineyard also has a shop called “The Barn”, where you can purchase their wines, as well as other local products and gifts.

• Location: Bekesbourne, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5EA
• Opening Times: Wednesday to Sunday: 10am – 5pm, Monday & Tuesday: Closed
• Wine Prices:

• Woolton Sparkling Pinot Noir 2017: £36.00
• Woolton Rosé 2020: £18.00 per bottle
• Woolton Chardonnay Pet-Nat 2022: £24.00 per 750ml bottle
• Woolton Pink Pet-Nat 2021: Available by bottle (price varies)
• Woolton Sparkling Wine 2014: £38.00 per bottle
• Still Wine Mixed Case: £60.00 (3x 750ml bottles of Woolton Wine
• Wine Lover’s Case: £136.00 (6x 750ml bottles of Woolton Wine)

12. Brissenden

Brissenden vineyard makes a delicious sparkling vines and the current production started in 2017, when the current owners purchased the vineyard. The vineyard itself was established about 30 years ago by David Rackham and has about 7 acres.

The main grape varieties grown at Brissenden include Pinot Noir, Bacchus, Reichensteiner, and more recently, Chardonnay.

TOURS & WINE TASTING

Brissenden Vineyard welcomes visitors for wine tours and tastings from April to October. These enjoyable experiences typically last between 1.5 to 2 hours, during which guests can explore the vineyard, visit the winery, and sample their estate-produced wines.

Standard tours cost approximately £15-20 per person, while private bespoke experiences are also available at varying prices depending on group size and specific requirements.

WINE SHOP

• Location: Brissenden Farm, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent, TN26 3BX, UK
• Opening Times: Open days and cellar door sales: 11am–5pm
• Wine Prices: Bacchus 2018: £19.00 per bottle

13. Domaine Evremond

Domaine Evremond was started by the famous French Champagne house, Taittinger, together with their UK partner, Hatch Mansfield. They bought the land in 2015 and began planting vines in 2017. The vineyard is quite large, covering 125 hectares in total, with about 60 hectares currently planted with vines.

At Domaine Evremond, they grow the same types of grapes used to make Champagne: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Their main focus is on making high-quality English sparkling wine using the traditional method, just like in Champagne.

TOURS & WINE TASTING

The Classic Cuvée Tasting and Domaine Tour includes a guided tour of the estate’s vineyards and a tasting of their inaugural release, Classic Cuvée. These experiences typically last around 45 minutes and are priced at £25 per person.

Tours are available Wednesday to Saturday from 10:30am to 5:30pm, though hours may be extended during summer months.

WINE SHOP

• Location: Chilham, near Canterbury, Kent,
• Opening Times: Wednesday to Saturday, 10:30am – 5:30pm
• Wine Prices: Classic Cuvée Edition I (NV): £235 per case of 6 bottles in bond (approx. £39 per bottle)

This blog post was originally published on 28 April 2025 and last updated on 28 April 2025