The Vineyard Hoppers

When it comes to English wine, Kent is often considered one of the top regions in the country. The county is home to a number of large and well-established vineyards, but there are also a handful of small, family-run vineyards that are worth exploring. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the smallest vineyards in Kent and what makes them special.

Woodchurch Wines
Woodchurch Wines is another small vineyard in Kent that’s definitely worth a visit. Located in Woodchurch, near Tenterden, this family-run vineyard produces award-winning wines using sustainable and organic practices. They have just six acres of vines, which are planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Seyval Blanc grapes.

Woodchurch Wines offers a range of still and sparkling wines, including the popular Woodchurch Sparkling Rosé, which won a Gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2020. They also offer tours and tastings, so you can learn about the winemaking process and sample some of their delicious wines.

Woodchurch Wines are commitmented to sustainability. They use natural methods to control pests and diseases in the vineyard, and their winery is powered by renewable energy. They also recycle and reuse materials wherever possible, and have a program to plant trees and hedgerows to support local wildlife.

Wayfarer Wines
Wayfarer Wines is another fantastic small vineyard in Tenterden that’s definitely worth a visit as it’s a family-run vineyard that produces handcrafted wines using traditional methods.

The vineyard is just two acres, but it produces a range of still and sparkling wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Wayfarer Wines is committed to sustainable and organic practices, and they use natural methods to control pests and diseases in the vineyard.

Wayfarer Wines focus on quality over quantity. They limit their yields to ensure that the grapes are of the highest quality, and they handpick and sort each grape to ensure that only the best make it into the wine. This attention to detail is reflected in the exceptional quality of their wines.

Wayfarer Wines offers tours and tastings, so you can learn about the winemaking process and sample some of their delicious wines. They also have a beautiful tasting room that overlooks the vineyard, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine.

Herbert Hall
Herbert Hall is located in Marden, near Tonbridge, and is a boutique winery that produces award-winning English sparkling wine.

The vineyard is just four acres and is planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. Herbert Hall’s sparkling wines have won numerous awards, including Gold medals at the International Wine Challenge and the Decanter World Wine Awards.

One unique feature of Herbert Hall is their focus on traditional winemaking methods. They use the traditional method of bottle fermentation, where the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle to produce the bubbles. This method is time-consuming and requires a lot of skill, but it results in high-quality sparkling wines with a fine mousse and delicate flavors.

Herbert Hall offers tours and tastings, so you can learn about the winemaking process and sample some of their exceptional sparkling wines. They also have a beautiful tasting room that overlooks the vineyard, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine.

Westwell Wines
Located in the North Downs, Westwell Wines is a small family-run vineyard that produces limited quantities of hand-crafted, premium quality wines. They have just five acres of vines, which are tended to by hand throughout the growing season. Westwell Wines offers a range of still and sparkling wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier.

Mount Ephraim Vineyard
Situated on the Mount Ephraim Estate near Faversham, Mount Ephraim Vineyard is a tiny four-acre vineyard that produces small batches of high-quality still and sparkling wines. The vineyard is family-run and has been producing wine since 2010. They offer a range of wines, including Bacchus, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.

Anno Distillers and Vineyard
Located in Marden, Anno Distillers and Vineyard is a small, artisanal distillery and vineyard that produces award-winning gin and wine. Their vineyard is just two acres, but it produces a range of high-quality wines, including Bacchus, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Anno also offers tours and tastings, so you can learn about the distilling and winemaking process.

Domaine Evremond
Domaine Evremond is a small vineyard located in the heart of the Kent countryside. The vineyard is named after Charles de Saint-Evremond, a Frenchman who introduced sparkling wine to England in the 17th century. Domaine Evremond is a joint venture between Champagne Taittinger and UK wine specialists Hatch Mansfield. They have just 69 acres of vines, but produce some of the finest sparkling wine in the region.

Barnsole Vineyard
Barnsole Vineyard is a small family-run vineyard located in the village of Staple near Canterbury. The vineyard is just three acres, but they produce a range of award-winning still and sparkling wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Bacchus. Barnsole Vineyard also offers tours and tastings, so you can learn about the winemaking process and sample some of their delicious wines.

These are just a few examples of the smallest vineyards in Kent. While they may be small in size, these family-run vineyards are producing some of the finest wines in the region, using traditional winemaking techniques and a lot of hard work and dedication. So next time you’re in Kent, be sure to seek out one of these hidden gems and try some of their delicious wines.