My Visit to Yotes Court Vineyard: Tours, Tastings & Kent Views

I visited Yotes Court as part of my birthday celebrations, and I have to say, it was a pretty perfect way to spend an afternoon. This is a relatively young vineyard – they only planted their first vines in 2015 – but what they’ve created here is really special. You’ll find beautiful views across the Kent countryside, excellent wines (their sparkling is particularly good), and a genuinely warm, enthusiastic welcome that makes the whole experience feel personal rather than corporate.

The thing I love about Yotes Court is that it feels like you’re visiting someone’s passion project, because that’s exactly what it is (in the best possible meaning of the word!). The family who own it are often around, and the people giving tours actually work in the vineyard, which means they really know their stuff. When someone can tell you about pruning the vines in winter because they were literally out there doing it a few weeks ago, it makes the whole experience feel more authentic.

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Wine Tours & Tastings

This is absolutely what you should do if you visit Yotes Court. I did the full guided tour and tasting, and it was genuinely one of the best vineyard experiences I’ve had.

The tour takes you through the vineyard itself, where your guide (mine was fabulous – knowledgeable, funny, and clearly passionate about the place) explains the whole winemaking process from planting to bottling. You’ll learn about the different grape varieties they grow, why certain varieties work better in Kent’s climate, and what happens throughout the year to produce the wine you’ll be drinking later. Because the guides actually work in the vineyard, they can answer pretty much any question you throw at them with real, practical knowledge rather than just rehearsed facts.

After walking through the vines, you head into a separate tasting room with views looking out over the vineyard. This is where it gets really good. You’ll taste a selection of their wines – typically four or five – and the guide explains what you’re drinking, how it’s made, and what makes each wine distinctive. The tasting is relaxed and informative without being stuffy. You can ask questions, go back for second tastes, and really take your time working out what you like.

Because it’s a working vineyard, do stick to the obvious paths on your tour and don’t wander into areas where people are clearly working. And wear sensible shoes – it’s a vineyard, so it can get muddy, especially after rain.

Tours cost around £25-30 per person and include the guided vineyard walk and the wine tasting. They run mainly at weekends, typically Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, though they do add extra dates during summer and around harvest time. You absolutely need to book in advance – check their website or give them a call. The tours are deliberately kept quite small (usually no more than 12-15 people), which makes them feel more intimate and means you can actually hear what the guide is saying!

If you can’t make a full tour, they do offer tastings at the shop, but honestly, I’d recommend doing the proper tour if you possibly can. It’s worth the extra money.

Visiting the vineyard

Yotes Court is a bit smaller than some of the older, more established Kent vineyards and you can get a great view directly from the shop and the seating area in front of it. There are no self-guided tours, so if you want to walk around the vineyard, you do need to pre-book on the official tour.

Saying that, you can drive up there and have a tasting, light refreshments and buy wine to take home.

The views from the vineyard are really lovely – you’re on a south-facing slope (which is ideal for growing grapes), looking out across the Weald of Kent. On a clear day, you can see for miles. If you visit in spring, you’ll see the vines coming to life with fresh green shoots. Summer is lush and green, with the grape bunches developing. Come in September or early October, and you might see the harvest happening, which is pretty exciting.

The best views, though, are from the seating area outside the shop. There are tables and chairs where you can sit with a glass of wine (or a coffee if you’re driving), and the vista across the vineyard and the Kent countryside beyond is gorgeous. I spent quite a while here after my tour, just enjoying the view with a glass of their rosé. On a sunny day, this is an absolutely perfect spot.

The Wine Shop

The shop is small but perfectly formed, with the full range of Yotes Court wines available to buy. The staff are lovely – friendly and knowledgeable without being pushy. When I was buying bottles to take home after my visit, they were happy to chat about which wines would keep well and which were best drunk soon.

You’ll also find some local Kent products – cheeses, chutneys, crackers, that sort of thing. They’ve put together some nice gift sets too, which would make excellent presents if you’re looking for something a bit special.

There’s a small bar area where you can buy wine by the glass if you just want to pop in for a quick visit without doing the full tour. They also do tea and coffee, which is handy if you’re the designated driver.

Staying On: Food and More Wine

One of the lovely things about Yotes Court is that you can easily make an afternoon of it. After my tour and tasting, I stayed on and ordered a charcuterie board with more wine, and it was delicious. The charcuterie boards feature local Kent produce – lovely cheeses, cured meats, fresh bread, olives, and chutneys. It’s proper, generous portions too, not some tiny portion with three pieces of cheese.

You can sit outside if the weather’s nice (and you get those views), or there’s indoor seating if it’s chilly or raining. The whole atmosphere is relaxed – nobody’s rushing you along, and you can genuinely settle in and enjoy yourself.

Charcuterie boards cost around £20-25 and are easily enough for two people to share, especially if you’ve already had a few tastings! You’ll need to order these when you arrive or when you book your tour, as they need a bit of notice to prepare them.

Types of Wine Produced & Prices

Yotes Court focuses mainly on what English vineyards do best: sparkling wines. But they also produce some really good still wines that are worth trying. I love that all the wine names are named after horses (since the vineyard owners are originally from a horse racing background).

Sparkling Wines: This is their flagship product, and the wines are excellent. They make their sparkling wines in the traditional method (the same way Champagne is made), and the quality really shows. Their Blanc de Blancs (made entirely from Chardonnay grapes) is crisp and elegant, with lovely fine bubbles. They also produce a Rosé sparkling wine that’s fruity and fresh – this was my favourite. Expect to pay around £30-38 per bottle for their sparkling wines.

• ‘LiveLoveLaugh’: A crisp, fruit-forward Sparkling Pinot Gris.
• ‘Let’s Dance’: A Sparkling Pinot Gris Rosé.
• ‘Benie des Dieux’: A premium Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay).
• ‘Chacun Pour Soi’: A Blanc de Noirs (made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier).
• ‘Annie Power’: A Cuvée (often released as a vintage special).

Still White Wines: They produce a still white wine that’s fresh and aromatic. It’s made from Bacchus grapes, which do really well in Kent’s climate. Think crisp, with flavours of elderflower and grapefruit. Around £16-18 per bottle.

Rosé Wine: Their still rosé is lovely – light, fruity, and very drinkable. Perfect for summer afternoons (or birthday celebrations!). About £16-18 per bottle.

• ‘On the Nod’: Their signature Bacchus (often compared to Sauvignon Blanc).
• ‘Hands and Heels’: A delicate and floral Pinot Blanc.
• ‘Loose Rein’: A silky, stone-fruit-forward Pinot Gris.
• ‘Best Turned Out’: A dry, rose-gold Pinot Meunier Rosé.
• ‘Starter’s Orders’: A Pinot Noir Reserve (red wine).
• ‘Two Beat Trot’: A rich, buttery Chardonnay.
• ‘The Favourite’: A red wine made from the Divico grape variety.

You can buy individual bottles or mixed cases, and if you’re buying a case, they usually offer a small discount. I bought several bottles to take home, and they’re drinking beautifully.

Yotes Court Vineyard History

Yotes Court is one of Kent’s newer vineyards, which actually makes it quite interesting. The estate itself has been around for centuries – there’s been a house here since medieval times – but the vineyard was only planted in 2015 by the Thompson family, who own the estate.

The Thompsons looked at their south-facing slopes, the chalky soil (similar to Champagne’s), and Kent’s increasingly wine-friendly climate, and decided to plant vines. It was a bit of a leap of faith – establishing a vineyard requires serious investment and you don’t see returns for several years – but it’s paid off. They produced their first wines in 2018, and they’ve been winning awards ever since.

What I really like about Yotes Court is that it’s still very much a family operation. The Thompsons are hands-on in the vineyard and the business, and you genuinely feel that personal involvement when you visit. This isn’t some corporate venture or a hobby project for wealthy landowners who’ve hired people to do everything – the family are actively involved in making it work.

The vineyard now covers about 16 acres and continues to develop. They’re still learning, still experimenting with different techniques and varieties, and that sense of evolution and enthusiasm comes through when you visit.

Practical Information for Visiting

Location: Yotes Court is near the village of Mereworth, which is between Maidstone and Tonbridge in Kent. The full address is Yotes Court, Vines Lane, Mereworth, Kent ME18 5HT. That postcode will get you there if you’re using satnav.

Opening Times: The shop and tasting room are typically open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. They’re closed Monday to Wednesday except for pre-booked tours and private events. These times can vary, especially in winter when they might have more limited hours, so do check their website or give them a call before you visit.

Tours run mainly at weekends – usually Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – with tours typically starting at 11am and 2pm, though they do add extra times during busy periods. You must book in advance for tours.

Parking: There’s free parking right at the vineyard. The car park isn’t enormous, but it’s adequate, and I didn’t have any problems finding a space. It’s just a short walk from the car park to the shop and tasting room.

How to Get There

By Car: This is definitely the easiest way to reach Yotes Court, though obviously not ideal if you want to enjoy the wine tasting properly! From London, take the M20 to Junction 4, then follow signs towards Maidstone and West Malling. From West Malling, follow signs to Mereworth. The journey from London takes about 50 minutes to an hour depending on traffic.

From the M25, come off at Junction 5 and take the A21 towards Sevenoaks, then pick up signs for Tonbridge and Mereworth. Allow about 40 minutes from the M25.

The lanes around Mereworth are typical Kent – narrow and winding – but they’re not as remote as some parts of the county. Just take your time, especially if you meet a tractor or a delivery van!

By Public Transport: This is tricky but not impossible. The nearest train station is West Malling, which is on the line from London Victoria to Maidstone. From West Malling station, Yotes Court is about 3 miles away. You could walk it if you’re keen (it would take about 50 minutes), but realistically, you’d want to get a taxi. A taxi from West Malling station to Yotes Court costs around £10-12.

Alternatively, if you’re coming from Maidstone, you could get a taxi from Maidstone East station, which would cost around £15-18.

The advantage of getting a taxi or public transport is that you can enjoy the wine tasting without worrying about driving! Just make sure you’ve got a taxi number saved in your phone for the return journey, as there isn’t a taxi rank you can just walk to.

Some people visit as part of an organized wine tour from London, which solves the transport problem entirely and often includes visits to multiple Kent vineyards.

What to See Nearby: Making a Perfect Day Out

Yotes Court is in a lovely part of Kent with plenty to see and do nearby. You could easily make a full day of it.

Mereworth Village: The village itself is worth a quick look. The church, St. Lawrence, is quite unusual – it’s a replica of a famous Roman church and looks rather out of place in a Kent village, which is part of its charm. There’s also Mereworth Castle (private, so you can’t visit, but you can see it from the road), which is a Palladian mansion that looks like it should be in Italy, not Kent.

Great Comp Garden: This is about 10 minutes from Yotes Court, and it’s an absolute gem that not enough people know about. It’s a 7-acre garden created by the late Joy and Roderick Cameron from the 1950s onwards, and it’s particularly beautiful in spring when the camellias and magnolias are out.

There are winding paths through different garden “rooms,” a Japanese-style area, and some gorgeous old trees. What I really like is that it feels like a plantsperson’s garden rather than something overly manicured – there’s always something interesting to spot. It’s open most of the year (closed in winter), and entry is around £8-9 per person. There’s a small nursery too if you want to buy plants.

Old Soar Manor: This is really close to Yotes Court – literally 5 minutes’ drive – and it’s a fascinating little place. It’s the remains of a late 13th-century knight’s dwelling, and what survives is the solar (the private rooms where the family would have lived) built over a barrel-vaulted undercroft. It’s quite small, so you won’t spend hours here, but it’s atmospheric and gives you a real sense of medieval life.

The best bit? It’s run by the National Trust and it’s completely free to visit, though it’s only open at weekends from April to September. You can wander around on your own – there are information boards explaining what you’re looking at. The setting is lovely too, surrounded by orchards and farmland, very peaceful.

Ightham Mote: This is only about 15 minutes’ drive from Yotes Court, and it’s one of the most beautiful medieval manor houses in England. It’s surrounded by a moat (hence the name), and it feels genuinely timeless. The house dates back to the 1320s, and it’s remarkably well-preserved. The gardens are lovely too. It’s run by the National Trust.

This blog post was originally published on 8 March 2026 and last updated on 8 March 2026