A visit to the home of English wine at Chapel Down vineyard in Kent
Last week some of The Sloaney team embarked on a journey to Chapel Down vineyard in Kent. The trip came about after we won some tickets to visit the venue in a raffle at a ball earlier this summer. Located just over two hours away from London, Chapel Down is home to England’s leading wine producer.
On arrival at the plush venue we were invited to take a tour of the beautifully landscaped grounds and vineyards to learn more about how the wine is produced. From growing the actual grapes to the fermentation and bottling process, all aspects are conducted onsite and Chapel Down has impressive and smart facilities.
Red, white and rose wine is produced along with some sparkling options too. As the climate changes, the south of England is becoming a popular place for wine production. It also shares very similar soil to the Champagne region and a variety of grapes can be grown.
Chapel Down
The tour lasted for just over an hour and it proved very interesting. After learning about the production of the wine, there was of course time dedicated to a tasting. We spent about half an hour sampling a vast selection of various wines. Highlights included the delicious Chapel Down Tenterden Estate Bacchus Reserve 2011 and the popular Chapel Down Pinot Noir 2011; both of which warranted a purchase.
While we only visited the grounds for the tour, there is also a restaurant at Chapel Down so guests can enjoy lunch during the excursion. If you are looking for something different to do on an autumn day, we certainly recommend spending time at The Chapel Down Winery. Not only can you learn more about the emerging English wine industry from very knowledgeable people but you can also enjoy the delights that it has to offer.
The Chapel Down Winery is located at Tenterden Vineyard, Small Hythe, Tenterden, Kent TN30 7NG. For information on tour options, costs and availability, or to book please call the Chapel Down Winery on 01580 766111 or email retail@chapeldown.com.
