The harvest in Kent is in full swing gathering up all the produce that has grown over the summer and is now ripe for picking.

Grapes and Wines

Biddenden Vineyards are happy with their grape crop this year and it looks like there will be some promising wines next year. Of course making a great wine takes time, so we will all have to be patient and wait. Harvest has been in full swing since 13th September when they first started picking the Ortega. Biddenden have produced some excellent award winning wines from last year’s crop such as the Gribble Bridge White which won a Sommelier Awards, and the Gamay Noir which won a Sliver at the International Wine and Spirits Competition.

Hush Heath Winery will also be harvesting and while the weather is a little colder now, a visit to the winery is always a treat.  Having won a Visit England Gold Award you are sure to find this an interesting and tasteful day.

The Wine Garden of England Festival is coming up!  Well worth a ticket to try some of these fabulous wines.  https://www.producedinkent.co.uk/wine-garden-england-festival-2/

Hops & Beer

Hops have been harvested locally in Kent. Kent Life have already celebrated the harvest of their hops and they have all been baked in the kiln and they are all now well on their way to flavouring beers from Kent.  Local beers and craft brews can be found in different pubs across the whole of Kent.

Farm Shops

Farm shops are bursting at the seams with wonderful local harvested food.  Because of new technologies in producing fruits, there are still some strawberries and raspberries around. However, best of all this time of year are the apples. Supermarkets are a sad state of affairs for buying apples - not a single one prepares you for the sweet scent of the fruit like you get walking into a farm shop.  Plastic wrapping and the standardisation of apples does little for the genuine joy of purchasing and eating them. Places such as Brogdale near Maidstone, allow visitors to explore a massive variety of gorgeous apples, with scent, flavour, juice and the special freshness.

Farmers Farm Shop in Teston and Haven Farm Shop in Sutton Valence both have a wonderful range to try also.

Frankie’s Farm Shop at Staplehurst and Biddenden Vineyards Farm Shop will allow you to find home-made jams a pickles from across the county with sumptuous tastes. Not forgetting of course the glorious, meats, sausages and cheeses.

Artisan Breads can also be found at Farmers Farm Shop from the Teston Bakery and at Frankie’s Farm Shop where it is baked on the premises.

Juices and Ciders

The cherries have all been picked and juiced into bottles and the major apple juicing is underway in Maidstone too.  There are a huge range of varieties to try! Chegworth juices and Biddenden Vineyards are well worth the effort to explore. They are the Taste of Kent.

If you think you might like to try some local food then Communigrow at East Malling is open from 11am-3pm on Saturday 12th October where they are holding their Autumn Food Festival. Local business and communities join together to connect where food comes from.  Harvested vegetables will be turned into the Big Soup Share to celebrate. There will also be local food, cooking demos and field tours. ttps://www.producedinkent.co.uk/event/communigrow-autumn-food-festival/

Related

Biddenden Vineyards
Vineyard
Biddenden Ortega

Kent’s original vineyard, Biddenden has been owned and managed by the Barnes family since 1969. Twelve varieties of grape are grown across 23 acres, producing award-winning still and sparkling English wines. Biddenden Cider is also produced on site along with Kentish apple & pear juices. The Vineyard Shop is open year-round and well stocked with Biddenden’s own ranges alongside specially selected local & artisan food & drink products. From May - September, Self-Guided Tours run daily and pre-booked Private Tours run Wednesday – Saturday for groups of up to 6 people. For opening times please visit www.biddendenvineyards.com

Balfour Winery
Vineyard
Friends on Balfour Winery Balcony

Balfour Winery has been producing England's most iconic and exclusive pink fizz, Balfour Brut Rosé, since its award winning 2004 vintage.

Kent Life - Heritage Farm Park
Museum
Child with a goat at Kent Life Heritage Farm Park

Kent Life is a vibrant and fun destination with whole host of family friendly attractions across its 28 acre site, offering a great day out for everyone. Whether you want to learn about Kent history, get up close with farm animals, or simply burn off some steam, this is a great place to be. Each season brings something new and exciting things to the farm, so whatever time of year you chose to visit, there is always something different to discover.  Kent Life features the only working coal-fired Oast House which is fired up in the autumn for drying hops and the traditional process of beer making begins. There are also lots of family friendly farm animals, play and picnic areas, a wonderful vintage tea room and historic houses and buildings

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