Five stunning Kent vineyards with tastings and tours

This week (June 21 to June 29) marks English Wine Week, celebrating the best of England’s wine industry, which has come leaps and bounds over the last few decades.

Whether you enjoy a crisp Chardonnay or a rich Pinot Noir, you’re bound to find something you like at one of these vineyards not too far from south east London.

Chapel Down Vineyard, Tenterden

Just 90 minutes drive from London or by train from Headcorn station you’ll find one of Kent’s most famous vineyards – Chapel Down.

The vineyard is know for supplying wine to popular events like Royal Ascot, as well as supplying 10 Downing Street and The London Stock Exchange.

The vineyard is know for supplying wine to popular events like Royal Ascot. (Image: Stir PR)

The vineyard offers a range of different experiences to choose from, ranging from bespoke wine tasting for £30 to a guided tour with tasting and a three-course meal for £130 a person.

During an experience you’ll have a chance to try an array of wines produced by the vineyard, from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Bacchus.

During an experience you’ll have a chance to try an array of wines produced by the vineyard. (Image: Stir PR)

There’s also an on-site restaurant with two AA rosettes, offering bespoke tasting and fine dining experiences.

The Mount Vineyard, Shoreham

One of Kent’s newest vineyards, The Mount Vineyard was founded just over two decades ago in 2004 and is just 30 minutes drive from south east London or by train from Shoreham.

One of Kent’s newest vineyards, The Mount Vineyard was founded just over two decades ago in 2004. (Image: The Mount Vineyard)

Based in the Darent Valley of Shoreham, this ten-acre vineyard grows eight grape varieties, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Bacchus, Rondo, Regent, Seyval Blanc, Phoenix and Siegerrebe.

You can book to tour the vineyard with a tasting for £35, but if you just fancy a glass of wine and something to eat from their on-site restaurant, you can get a glass of wine and pizza for as little as £20.

Based in the Darent Valley of Shoreham, this ten-acre vineyard grows eight grape varieties. (Image: The Mount Vineyard)

Squerryes Vineyard, Westerham

Squerryes Court in Westerham dates back to 1722,  spanning eight generations, and its manor house also famously appeared in an episode of Bridgerton.

The vineyard covers 35 acres and grows the classic trio of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. (Image: Squerryes)

The vineyard covers 35  acres and grows the classic trio of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, which they use to produce vintage sparkling wines, rosés and Blanc de Blancs.

You can book a tour for £40 where you’ll see the vineyard and try three different wines, but if you fancy a spot of lunch you can visit their on-site restaurant, where they offer seasonal dishes along with wine pairings.

You can book a tour for £40 where you’ll see the vineyard and try three different wines. (Image: Squerryes)

Biddenden Vineyards, Ashford

One of Kent’s oldest commercial vineyards, Biddenden Vineyards, was founded in 1969 and spans over 23 acres.

Unlike many vineyards focusing solely on Champagne grapes, Biddenden cultivates eleven varieties, including heritage grapes like Ortega, Bacchus and Huxelrebe.

Biddenden Vineyards was founded in 1969 and spans over 23 acres. (Image: Biddenden Vineyards)

One of their signature wines is Ortega, a dry wine with notes of apple and grapefruit, but you can also find plenty of locally-sourced beers and ciders in their shop too.

The vineyard offers tastings and tours starting from £27.50 a person where you can try three different wines during a visit.

One of their signature wines is Ortega, a dry wine with notes of apple and grapefruit. (Image: Biddenden Vineyards)

Balfour Winery, Staplehurst

An hour’s drive from south east London, Balfour Winery is one of Kent’s largest vineyards, with an estate measuring at 400 acres, including 30 acres dedicated to grape growing.

An hour’s drive from south east London, Balfour Winery is one of Kent’s largest vineyards. (Image: Balfour Winery)

There is also a free shuttle bus that runs to the vineyard from Marden station between Friday and Sunday.The estate measures at 400 acres, with 30 acres dedicated to grape growing. (Image: Balfour Winery) The vineyard cultivates traditional varieties of grapes like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Bacchua, creating both still and sparking wines as well as beers and ciders.

Balfour’s Brut Rosé earned gold at the International Wine Challenge and was even drunk at the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate in 2011.

For £50 a person you can have a tour of the vineyard as well as taste six of their wines.