VINEYARD AND CRAFT DRINKS PARTNERS
Gusbourne Estate, Kent
Tillingham Wines, East Sussex
Tillingham is a mixed farm dating from the 13th C set amongst 70 acres of rolling hills and woodlands and is home to vineyards, fruit trees, ancient woodland and livestock. The recently renovated farmstead provides a place for visitors to stay and enjoy the produce of the farm and area.
Tillingham are committed to farming in a diverse, poly-cultural way, believing this to be not only a highly sustainable approach, but in conjunction with biodynamics, aim to restore soils to optimum level of organic matter, microbial and ecological diversity.
Charles Palmer Estate, East Sussex
Charles Palmer Vineyards is a family run wine estate at Winchelsea. The vineyards benefit from an ideal climate for vines, proximity to the sea, south facing slope, and terroir. The lowest part of the vineyard is 5 metres above sea level and sits on Kimmeridgian clay similar to the Grand Crus of Burgundy.
Their medieval farmhouse, originally Wickham Manor, stood within the town boundaries of Winchelsea. Between the sea and the French, most of Old Winchelsea was brought down, but Wickham Manor and a network of old cellars underneath Winchelsea are the last remnants of the former town.
Oxney Organic Estate, East Sussex
Oxney Organic Estate is a modern mixed organic farm with vineyards, farms and holiday cottages in Kent and East Sussex. A sustainable and natural approach underpins the whole estate – from generating our own heat from coppiced wood chip through to a natural approach to disease control in the vineyard using wild herbs and plants.
The estate is run by the owners, Kristin Syltevik and Paul Dobson. Paul is responsible for the arable operation while Kristin is responsible for the vineyard and our holiday cottages.
Hush Heath Balfour Estate, Kent
In the heart of Rochester, moments’ from the historic Castle and Cathedral is the The Vines Hotel. A magnificent building currently being restored to become a stunning boutique hotel and restaurant.
With a selection of rooms and dining experiences, there will be something for everyone. Enjoy breakfast, indulge in some classic cocktails or dine with views of the beautifully landscaped gardens.
Simpsons Estate, Kent
The Simpsons’ vineyards occupy glorious positions on the sunny, sheltered slopes of the North Downs of Kent, protected from the whimsy of the English climate by ancient woodland and anchored in the iconic chalky soils so highly revered in the world of both still and sparkling wine.
On their French wine estate, the award-winning Domaine Sainte Rose in the Languedoc region, they have always pursued the cleaner, truer flavours of the grape, and are now bringing this savoir-faire to our English vineyards.
Squerryes Winery and Estate, Kent
Squerryes have been in the business of creating joy for nearly 300 years and now bottling it. Vintage sparkling wine that reflects the amazing spirit, rich heritage and the beautiful terroir of the North Downs Estate.
The owner Henry Warde says it best naturally: “Squerryes is our beautiful, busy home that sits within a productive 2,500 acre estate on the Kent Downs. My family is the 8th generation of Wardes to live here, with many colourful characters preceding us, all with their own story to tell.These stories, our history I suppose, are one of the things that makes Squerryes so special. Equally so is the glue, our family motto, that has bound all these chapters and all these people together over the centuries: ‘Licet Esse Beatis’: it is permitted to be joyful.”
Limden Vineyard, East Sussex
Limden vineyard is a fantastically boutique project owned and operated by James Le Bouedec producing both rosé and white English wine using organic methods.
Limden Vineyard was established in May 2013.
Four grape varieties were selected to produce still rosé and white wine. The varieties comprise of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Bacchus and Chardonnay. The plot is just over 1 acre, south facing on clay and loam soil and comprises of 2,500 vines. The vineyard, although not certified, follows organic viticultural management practices.
Woodchurch Wines, Kent
A family business established in 2009, Woodchurch Estate in Kent produces exceptional English sparkling wine.
The vineyard is situated on the edge of the picturesque village of Woodchurch in Kent – the garden of England.
Set on hills looking south over the ancient Romney marsh down to the English channel, our land has the perfect geography and climate to produce the highest quality grapes and the finest English sparkling wine.
Biddenden Vineyards, Kent
Biddenden Vineyards, Kent’s original vineyard, pride themselves on being a family run vineyard with the second and third generation of the Barnes family managing the estate.
Biddenden Vineyards celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019, an exciting milestone to have reached at an exciting time for English, and especially Kentish wine.
The family is able to draw on 5 decades of winemaking knowledge and pair this with new methods & techniques to ensure that Biddenden is at the forefront of the English wine industry.
Sedlescombe Organic Wines, East Sussex
The owners, Sophie and Kieran Balmer are local to the area; and are the fantastic powerhouse behind this 35 year established vineyard. As the UK’s oldest organic wine estate, Sedlescombe, established in 1979, naturally has a rich heritage and comprises 22 acres of organically certified vineyards.
An independent business established in 1979 by Roy Cook producing 30,000 bottles of ‘Estate Bottled’ English wine annually. The extensive award winning range comprises whites, rose, red and sparkling wines – all certified either organic or biodynamic and suitable for both Vegetarians and vegans.
Wiston Estate, West Sussex
The Goring Family has stewarded Wiston Estate’s land since 1743 and it is presided over today by Harry & Pip Goring. Their English vineyard, planted in 2006 with traditional Champagne grape varieties, is the fruit of Pip’s long-held dream.
Planted in 2006, our West Sussex vineyard covers 6.5 hectares on Upper Cretaceous Chalk. Wiston Estate’s traditional Coquard Press is one of only four outside of France and is unique to the UK. There are no herbicides sprayed on the soil, which enables the microbiological activity to thrive.
Tickerage Vineyard, East Sussex
Beacon Down Vineyard, East Sussex
Beacon Down is the dream come reality result of a 2012 ‘what if’ conversation, a relatively high altitude vineyard for England with arguably one of the most picturesque views in Sussex. Paul and Alice are the proud family team behind this young and promising vineyard.
Maybe its the sandstone beneath the soil, or perhaps the vineyard aspect basked in sunshine but the results are stunning, you could almost believe you were tasting soft and delicious wines from whilst abroad in one of our warmer Southern neighbours.
Off The Line Vineyard, East Sussex
Hidden Spring Vineyard, East Sussex
A small boutique vineyard owned and run by two enthusiastic wine lovers on the sands of the Sussex Weald.
Keen to demonstrate the high quality of English wine available and to help others appreciate the best of British. They produce a range of elegant still wines and have recently released their first sparkling wines.
Nightingale Cider Company, Kent
The Nightingale Cider Co started as a hobby with a friend, under the name Gibbet Oak Cider, selling to local events. 2013 was a big year, when they released their first bottled ciders. People loved them, and wanted more, so in 2015 Sam swapped his job in sound recording for muddy boots and overalls, and returned to the farm to re-join Tim, and concentrate on doing what he loved.
Every drop of Nightingale Cider is the real thing. Proper fine Kentish cider; the golden bounty of the Garden of England.
Battle Brewery, East Sussex
The Three Legs are a Small batch craft beer brewery located in Broad Oak in the heart of Sussex. Don’t let their size fool you however as what these guys are creating will get your taste buds singing. Casks to kegs and ciders to wines you’ll be spoilt by their range.
They have a taproom inside their brewery tank room where you can sample the range, drink in or take away in a reusable flagon or in bottle or can. Cheese and local charcuterie available for bar snacks. Everybody is welcome at the Three Legs!
Bignose & Beardy Sussex Cider, East Sussex
The Cidery is named after the most prominent features of Phil Day and Steve Stark, although as they age baldy and baldy and might be more appropriate. Both work full time so cider is an out of control hobby.
Being outdoors, picking fruit with friends, the mechanical process of getting the juice, sunshine and the joy of making a thing are the reasons we do it. Plus it tastes good. Neither has any relevant experience or much competence and really the best thing you can say about their approach to cider making is that it’s enthusiastic. If it wasn’t fun they wouldn’t do it.
The Woolpack Inn, Warehorn, Kent
Battle Brewery is a micro brewery with onsite taproom and bottle shop, located at the heart of 1066 country in Battle, East Sussex. Starting up in 2017, they now supply local pubs, cafes, and shops with a range of flavourful and skilful cask and bottled craft beers.
Their philosophy is simple really, the team at Battle Brewery enjoy producing small batches of distinctly flavoursome craft beers and ales using the finest ingredients and taking their inspiration from the beautiful surroundings and heritage of the 1066 country.
Old Dairy Brewery, Kent
A micro brewery nestled deep in the “Garden of England” in an area of Kent known as The Weald, their home is just off the high street of the picturesque town of Tenterden, the “Jewel of the Weald”. The brewery enjoys a vista of rolling hills and stunning views, and is located right next to the old-time romance of the Kent and East Sussex steam railway.
Their tank room consists of two WWII Nissen huts which were once used as food stores and serviced by the steam railway next door.
Greensand Ridge Gin Distillery, Kent
Harley House Gin Distillery, East Sussex
1066 Hastings Gin, East Sussex
Rumbustian Rum, East Sussex
Chartham Vineyard, Kent
Westwell Wines, Kent
Located just beneath the Pilgrims Way on the North Downs, a route used for centuries by Pilgrims travelling to Canterbury.
They produce both sparkling and still wines of honest finesse. Beneath the sandy silt-loam soil layer, lies the chalk sub-layer, similar to that in Champagne. This provides both excellent deep drainage as well as gentle moisture to the vines even in the driest of summers. Their soils contain high proportions of flint, which help drainage and retain the heat, before radiating this back during the night.
Terlingham Vineyard, Kent
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