Join the festival celebrating Kent Wines

Canterbury claims to be the spiritual home of English Wine and arriving at Canterbury East station to a welcoming sign from Simpsons Wine Estate is a great start to your wine adventure.

I’ve travelled to this area many times to visit vineyards but this time the vineyards came to me! The Canterbury Wine Festival, already in its sixth year, brings together an incredible selection of wines all under one roof at the historic Westgate Hall.

Kent has the most land under vine in the UK and its original vineyard, Biddenden, was planted back in 1969. What I loved about this event was how it showcased everything from the county’s largest, most established brands alongside boutique producers you can only usually try at the cellar door.

My love of sparkling wine meant I was spoilt for choice but there were also reds, whites, rosés, dessert wines, even vermouth. Whether you’re already an English Wine aficionado, or keen to start your journey, there was plenty to discover.   

The hall had a real buzz of excitement as people made their way between the 18 stalls representing 21 Kent producers. I love hearing the stories behind the wines and one of my favourites was a wine from Barnsole called Twenty Seven Hands Sparkling Wine - it’s hand-riddled and the 27th hand to touch it is yours. These conversations, often with the owners and winemakers, give you unique insight and connections with the wine.  

Here’s the impressive list of producers: Balfour Winery, Barnsole, Biddenden, Brabourne Vineyard, Brenley, Chartham Vineyard, Domaine Evremond, Gusbourne, Heppington, Nine Oaks, Oast Wood, Simpsons Wine Estate, Terlingham Vineyard, Warehorne Vineyard, Wayfarer Wines, Woodchurch Wine, Woolton Farm, Wine Garden of England (Chapel Down, Squerryes, Westwell, Yotes Court).

This year’s event sold-out in record time and tickets for 14 / 15 May 2027 are already on sale from Westgate Hall so I’d advise rounding up your friends and family and getting this one in the diary early. 

In the meantime if you want to experience these wines in their 'natural habitat' there are opportunities to visit all of these vineyards. Some open by appointment only or on certain days whilst others are open for drop-ins throughout the week and have facilities such as cafes and restaurants. The vineyard finder provides more details.

I made a weekend of my visit to Canterbury and was really impressed that every bar, pub and restaurant I visited sold local wines by the glass and bottle. I really hope this becomes the norm around the country. Cheers!