Toasting two of our amazing award-winning wineries
In her second column for Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine, Jo Ginn who runs the Wine Garden of England collective, shines the spotlight on two of the incredible wineries that form part of this organisation
Wine Garden of England is a collaboration of nine Kent vineyards who work together to promote Kent as the leading county for wine tourism.
Wine tourism has always been associated with the warmer climes such as South Africa, California and, of course, France. Now we have a burgeoning wine industry of our own, England is becoming an interesting option for wine tourists, and Kent in particular.
Kent is the sunniest county in the UK (it may not seem that way but I promise this is a fact) so it is perfect for growing grapes and frolicking in the vineyards with a glass of award winning sparkling wine.
You simply do not need to travel across the world to have this experience any more. Over the next few issues of Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine, I will be concentrating on introducing you to the vineyards that I work with, so that you have some inspiration for your next day out with friends.
Let’s start with the two you have probably already heard of. Chapel Down is the largest wine producer in the UK and based in Tenterden. Half an hour away in Staplehurst is the very stylish Balfour Winery, whose wines are often displayed next to Chapel Down’s in supermarkets and specialist wine stores.
Chapel Down
Tenterden
Chapel Down produces around two million bottles a year, across a range of different styles from their premium Kits Coty Blanc de Bancs to their everyday Flint Dry which has become a firm favourite amongst its customers. The visitor experience at Tenterden does not betray the size of the company. It is home to the original plantings, so the vines are pretty old by English standards. Guided tours are available to book every day of the year, and you’ll learn about the lifecycle of the vines, the workings of the on-site winery, and the fascinating method of producing traditional method sparkling wine. There is a well-stocked shop, full of local produce that can be paired with their large range of wines. The restaurant is run by the I’ll Be Mother group, called the Swan at Chapel Down, and is one of the best in Kent. A real treat would be a tour and tasting in the morning followed by a leisurely lunch at The Swan.
If you have less time to spare, you can just drop in to browse the shop and have a drink on the terrace. There’s always a warm welcome, throughout the year.
chapeldown.com
Balfour Winery
Staplehurst
An absolutely idyllic example of an English vineyard, just seven minutes away from Marden train station. Balfour is one of the largest wine producers, with production of around 750K bottles. It is well equipped to grow still further now that it is a large site winery and boasts wonderful hospitality.
The restaurant overlooks the perfectly manicured Nanette’s Vineyard. You have a choice of a la carte in the Winemaker’s Kitchen, or more casual dining downstairs, including delicious flatbreads and sharing platters. The wines are expertly made by Fergus Elias and his team, and the range is impressive. The first wine that Balfour produced was modelled on Champagne Billecart Salmon’s Rosé. The Balfour Brut Rosé won awards in its first vintage and has grown to be the iconic signature wine for this producer. The wine is best enjoyed sitting on the terrace, surrounded by vines, summer meadows and ancient woodlands. Sounds too good to be true? There’s more… Balfour kindly offer a free shuttle service from Marden station at weekends, so you don’t even need to bring the car. I often say that Balfour is the ‘starter vineyard’ for new wine tourists. It’s just too easy to have a good time!
balfourwinery.com
Find out more about the Wine Garden of England here:
www.winegardenofengland.co.uk
Instagram: @winegardenofengland
Tickets to the Summer Celebration on June 7 at Chilham Castle in Kent can be bought via www.winegardenofengland.co.uk
