The Vineyards of Kent

“Kent, sir – everybody knows Kent – apples, cherries, hops and women” observed Mr Jingle in Dickens’ Pickwick Papers, and whilst we might phrase it differently almost 200 years later, the Garden of England retains a fruitful abundance from the High Weald to the cliffs and beaches of the coast. In recent years, viticulture has taken root firmly in the region, and Kent is the source of the most highly-regarded vineyards in the UK, producing a host of award-winning wines – from champagne rivalling sparkling wines to impressive whites and increasingly well-respected reds. On this tour in the company of expert wine critic and author Jonathan Ray, drinks editor of The Spectator, we will meet some of the county’s finest winemakers – and a brewer – and taste the very best that Kent has to offer. Based close to the cathedral city of Canterbury, we shall also take time to enjoy exquisite gardens, galleries and plenty of the finest local produce.