THE LOWDOWN

Meet innovative and impassioned winemakers based in Mereworth hence the name, Mereworth Wines. Producing award-winning world-class English Sparkling Wine from the fruit grown in their vineyard, then processed in their sustainably accredited site.

Their vineyards overlook Wateringbury which are perfectly positioned on the Greensand Ridge. First planted in 2016, they grow Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. Historically, these three are known as the principal grapes grown in Champagne but they have proven a fabulous match for the climate and growing conditions here in Kent to make exceptional English Sparkling Wine. Aren’t we lucky?

Mereworth Wines are solely made from the grapes grown and harvested from their own vineyard which allows full control over the process and they make sure only the highest quality grapes, at the perfect point of maturity, make the cut. We like the sound of this.

THE HISTORY

Mereworth, a settlement listed in the Domesday Book, is found in the heart of Kent. Dating back 500 years, Mereworth boasts a long association with fruit and hop growing, with some of the first hops in the country planted here.

Mereworth Winery used to be a working farm with an Oast which would’ve been filled with pickers bringing in hops from the fields to be dried, cooled and pressed, whilst apples were collected from the neighbouring orchards. It’s reported that George Orwell was even amounts the hundreds of pickers to have graced the Winery.

With the scaling down of hop-growing in recent years, Kent has now made a name for itself with its suitability for viticulture – it seems the future is in grapes!

Or pop along and enjoy the full experience with a Winery Tour & Tasting where for £30pp you can experience a fully guided tour of Mereworth Wines’ winery followed by a tasting of their delicious English Sparkling Wines. See for yourselves where their grapes are crushed, pressed, fermented and aged as the experts talk you through the Traditional Method used to transform the grapes from the vineyard into exceptional English Sparkling Wine.

Got a special occasion coming up? Why not book a special afternoon at Mereworth with their bespoke Sparkling Afternoon Tea? From £32pp enjoy an Afternoon Tea with a delicious selection of finger sandwiches, fruit scones with clotted cream & jam, brownie bites, lemon posset, macaroons, a pot of tea or filter coffee and a glass of your faourite Mereworth Sparkling Wines. There’s a Children’s Menu available too.