insideKENT Magazine Issue 75 - June 2018 | Page 90

DAYSOUT
WINE GARDEN OF ENGLAND PARTNERSHIP AT LEEDS CASTLE
From L to R: Julian, Sally, Will and Tom Barnes (Biddenden Vineyards); Henry Warde (Squerryes); Charles and Ruth Simpson (Simpsons Wine Estate);
Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn (Hush Heath Estate); Charlie Holland (Gusbourne); Patrick McGrath MW (Domaine Evremond); Mark Harvey (Chapel Down). © Thomas Alexander Photography
SEVEN KENT WINERIES JOIN FORCES WITH
VISIT KENT TO LAUNCH THE
WINE GARDEN OF ENGLAND , AND CHAMPION
WINE TOURISM ACROSS THE COUNTY
A DIVERSE COLLECTION OF KENTISH WINERIES HAVE JOINED
FORCES TO FORM A BRAND-NEW PARTNERSHIP TO CHAMPION
AND DEVELOP THE COUNTY’S WINE TOURISM OFFERING.
The Wine Garden of England represents the
diversity of top quality producers and wineries
located in Kent – a group of industry pioneers,
many already delivering award-winning
English wines around the world. The seven
wineries have now collectively committed to
use their combined strength to create a world-
class wine trail and visitor experience in Kent.
United by their passion for winemaking, high-
quality products and desire to welcome visitors
and share their stories, the producers are
working alongside tourism specialists Visit
Kent to make this new ‘family’ of vineyards a
wine partnership unlike any other. From the
90
game-changers who are shaping the future
of English wine to stylish boutique wineries
and family businesses steeped in tradition,
each member of the partnership has many
fascinating stories to share, and a unique
experience to offer visitors to the county.
With a combined 120,000 visitors a year, the
seven founding members of the Wine Garden
of England are: Biddenden Vineyards, Chapel
Down, Domaine Evremond, Gusbourne, Hush
Heath Estate, Simpsons Wine Estate and
Squerryes. Each producer is situated within
its own unique part of the county –
picturesque spaces closely linked to London
(from 15 to 30 minutes away) by some of the
best transport links in the country, including
Southeastern’s high-speed rail network.
Visitors can discover these established
vineyards in stunning Kent countryside, and
taste their award-winning ranges of sparkling,
white, rosé and red wines.
Discussing the wine partnership, Pierre-
Emmanuel Taittinger, of Champagne
Taittinger and Kent collaboration Domaine
Evremond, said: “Kent is one of the warmest
and driest counties of England, and we were
delighted to find some beautiful land, on chalk,
near the charming village of Chilham – we