Craving an escape to wine country? Get your fix of fine wines, vineyard tours and drinks with views right here in Canterbury.
Being in the heart of the Garden of England with rich chalk soil and ideal climate, Canterbury is home to several award-winning vineyards producing some of the best wines in the country, and offering elegant cellar-door experiences for visitors.
Simpsons Wine Estate, Elham Valley, Barnsole, Chartham, Heppington, and Woolton Farm are all on our doorstep, along with the first UK vineyard from Champagne Taittinger at Domaine Evremond.
Read about visiting Simpsons Wine Estate below
Those looking to dip their toes into English wine can sample outstanding local and national wines at city centre tasting room Corkk, or at The Good Shed. Many local restaurants and pubs offer English wines on their menus.
And did we mention the stunning countryside views of the vines?
With plenty of accommodation choices in the city, along the coast, or deep in the countryside, Canterbury really is the perfect place for a viticulture vacation.
Visit The Vines with Simpsons Wine Estate
You don't need to leave the country to visit a working vineyard in breath-taking surroundings....
Located a short drive or taxi ride out of Canterbury city centre, Simpsons’ Wine Estate allows you the chance to escape to the idyllic Kent countryside and explore their vines and exquisite English wines.
The last decade has seen the Estate go from strength to strength, with the development of their state-of-the-art winery and 38 hectares now under vine. Their incredible range of still and sparkling wines have garnered high-praise and awards both nationally and internationally at the likes of the Decanter World Wine Awards and Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships.
No visit to Simpsons’ is complete without a trip down their “Fruit Chute” helter-skelter slide, which transcends from their Tasting Room down to the Winery. This is a show-stopping way to exit their tasting events and they are the only winery in the world to have this unique attraction.
Visit their “Experiences” page to pre-book your tickets to one of the popular vineyard tours or tasting sessions, or secure your spot on one of the special events held throughout the year, including masterclasses and exclusive wine dinners.
Meet a Master of Wine
Thirsty to know more about English Wine? We asked Canterbury’s resident Master of Wine (MW) Clive Barlow for his top tips on how to sip, sample and savour the best wines around.
Clive Barlow is one of only 400 Master of Wines in the world. He shares his expertise at Press Wine Services at The Goods Shed, and English wine specialists Corkk in Canterbury's cathedral quarter.
What do you think makes Canterbury-grown wines so special?
Great flavours and ripe clean fruits. The wines have a sense of the fruit farms and orchards that surround the city; crisp tasting apples, pears, gooseberries and red fruits such as strawberries, cherries and raspberries. And they have a terrific freshness; just like a walk in Kent spring can raise your spirits, Canterbury wines have a vivacity that enlivens the palate.
Let’s say someone is brand new to tasting English wine – where should they start?
I would go for a super sparkler like Simpsons Chalklands, by Simpsons Wine Estate. Loved by all, it is fresh and bubbly offering lemon and pear fruit.
For a still wine I would go for the signature English grape Bacchus – try the Chartham Bacchus; crisp and a green apple with gooseberry and nettle notes.
What should people look for when picking or trying a good wine?
When tasting/trying a wine there are 3 things to look out for. Firstly, sniff and taste for the range of flavours/aromas, usually the more the better. Secondly, check out the balance. Do the crisp acidity, the alcohol, tannins and fruit flavours sit harmoniously together or does one stick out? Thirdly, how long do the flavours remain? The longer the better!
The annual Canterbury Wine Festival at Westgate Hall is a great place for people to learn about English wine in the heart of the city. What should people expect from the festival and your masterclass?
The wine festival is an amazing opportunity to taste more than 45 local wines and meet the people who are intimately involved the production of the products. It’s a very relaxed and open event, you don’t need to know anything about wine to enjoy it as there are plenty of great people on hand to guide you through some sensational tastings. And there’s a lot of wine to try!
