The Foodie Travel Guide> English Vineyards> Chapel Down Vineyard
Taste English Sparkling Wine on a Chapel Down Vineyard Tour
You’ll have a very fine day out visiting Chapel Down in the Kent countryside.
The vineyard and winery tour is rich in interesting facts and there are a variety of tasting experiences to choose from.
See the vines growing, walk the family trail, smell the roses in the beautiful garden and taste wine. Get to know Curious beers and cider, too. Dine in style at the Swan English restaurant.
Known for its World Class sparkling wines, William and Kate chose Chapel Down’s sparkling rosé brut to serve at their wedding.
Start Your English Wine Education at Chapel Down
Chapel Down’s 26-acre vineyard was once a hop and cattle farm.
Back in 1977, vines were planted here because of its south west facing slopes and sandy loam soil.
With vineyards in nearby Aylesford, partner vineyards across the South East and a modern winery, it’s an impressive set up and a great place to start your English wine education.
Tour Chapel Down Vineyard and Winery
Take the guided vineyard tour and you’ll learn that 6 million bottles of English wine are produced every year.
Understand the crucial difference between English wine and British wine – the latter is made using imported juice.
In the Pressing Shed, see the UK’s biggest wine press, watch the bottling line in action and learn about the different stages of the wine-making process, adding plenty of new words such as ‘riddling’ to your wine vocabulary.
Enjoy a Tutored Wine Tasting
Tours finish back at the wine store where you’re given a tutored wine tasting. It’s fun working your way through the sparkling wines, one red, a rosé and several still white wines.
Dine in the Swan Restaurant
Eat lunch at The Swan Restaurant upstairs and enjoy panoramic views of the Kent and Sussex countryside.
As an alternative to wine, try their range of Curious beers and cider with your meal or buy bottles to take home with you from the well stocked Fine Food & Wine Shop downstairs.
Picnic in the Herb Garden
For a more informal lunch, buy a selection of cheese, Chapel Down wine and gourmet treats and sit under the gazebo in the lovely garden and enjoy a picnic.
- Taste the Rosé Brut. With its ‘rich flavours reminiscent of summer pudding and a dry and refreshing finish’, it was served at Kate and William’s wedding
- Visit Knoops chocolate café in nearby Rye for 70 different combinations of dark, milk and white chocolate
- Wash champagne flutes in water and vodka as dishwater fluid leaves a resin on the glass
The Gallivant Hotel at Camber Sands – A stylishly converted former motel with its own restaurant. Great for long walks along Camber Sands fantastic beach and for exploring Romney Marsh and nearby Rye.
Little Dane Court– a 4 star B&B in a 500 year-old house in the centre of Tenterden which produces its own honey.
Mr Hendricks says, “I can come with you but please make sure you keep me on a lead at all times. Let’s head to the coast afterwards and go for a lovely walk along the beach at Camber Sands.”
How to Find Chapel Down Vineyard
Chapel Down Winery, Small Hythe, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 7NG
Chapel Down Vineyard
Chapel Down Vineyard Tour
- Tour Chapel Down’s Tenterden vineyard
- Do a tutored wine tasting
- Take a picnic with you or book lunch in the Swan restaurant
- Shop for local produce