insideKENT Magazine Issue 99 - June / July 2020 | Page 21

KENTPRODUCERS
Kent Producer Profile:
WINE TOURS OF KENT:
GO VIRTUAL
IN MARCH THIS YEAR, WINE TOURS OF KENT CELEBRATED ONE YEAR IN BUSINESS AND
WON TWO AWARDS AT THE KENT WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS. THEY WERE ON A HIGH
AND PLANNING FOR A BUSY SEASON AHEAD. FAST FORWARD TWO WEEKS AND LOCKDOWN
WAS LOOMING, OWNER ABI STARTED TO CONTACT GUESTS BOOKED ON THEIR UPCOMING
WINE TOURS TO TRY AND RESCHEDULE WHERE POSSIBLE OR REFUND CUSTOMERS.
Many of their customers had booked
a day out wine tasting to celebrate
birthdays, hen parties and other special
occasions. Abi says “After speaking to
a couple of customers, I didn’t want
to disappoint anyone and knew I had
to come up with a solution. I wanted
to be able to connect friends and
families in different households that
had been looking forward to spending
the day together exploring the Kent
vineyards.”
You can now join friends, family, and
colleagues in other households for a
private virtual wine tour and tasting
hosted by Wine Tours of Kent. With
most of us all now using technology
to connect, they are transporting
customers virtually to each stop, where
you learn about the vineyards and the
wine you are tasting. All wine selected
is from the local vineyards they visit
on their tours. Along with the wine,
you are provided with food pairing
suggestions, wine tasting notes and a
virtual wine guide for an online
tasting. It is as simple as getting your
friends onboard, choosing a wine pack
and selecting a date.
Owner Abi said “As a new business
owner it was quite a daunting time, I
realised that we would not be able to
run tours, and soon realised I would
not be eligible for any government
support, as I had not been in business
long enough. The virtual tastings
meant not only could I stay afloat, I
was able to put a smile on my
customers faces during this difficult
time and support the local vineyards
that have been hit hard since losing
their restaurant trade, which has been
really rewarding for me.”
With more people looking for a
staycation in the UK once the rules
are relaxed, Abi plans to go ahead
with their Luxury Wine Weekends
later this year. They have collaborated
with a boutique accommodation
provider that is situated right in the
heart of the Kent countryside, within
close proximity to the vineyards. Set
in the grounds of the medieval Cloth
Hall, guests can enjoy a glass of wine
by the outdoor heated pool, explore
the gardens and vines on site, and
enjoy a mix of fine dining and home
cooked meals cooked by local chefs.
Once safe to do so, they plan to restart their full day wine tours and look forward
to hosting lots of family and friends on their tours. They will also continue to
offer the virtual tastings for guests that are unable to visit in person.
For more information on Wine Tours of Kent’s virtual wine tasting packages,
full day wine tours and wine breaks check out their website
www.winetoursofkent.co.uk
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