Lamberhurst Vineyard
Lamberhurst Vineyard
The Down
Lamberhurst
Kent
TN3 8ER
Tel: +44(0)1892 890412
Fax: +44(0)1892 891242
Web: www.newwavewines.com (www.newwavewines.com/vineyards/lamberhurst.asp)
One of the best-known vineyards in the UK. The Lamberhurst story started in 1971, when Kenneth McAlpine and his farm manager, Bob Reeves, thought that some land that they had just purchased overlooking the village would be suitable for vines. Although the land was north facing, it was well sheltered from the prevailing southwesterly winds.
Planting started in 1972 with 3.64 hectares of Muller Thurgau, Seyval Blanc and Madeleine Angevine. The winery was built in 1974 and the first vintage produced around 700 bottles of wine. Further harvests were more successful and further plantings resulted in Lamberhurst becoming the largest vineyard in the country.
Kenneth McAlpine sold Lamberhurst Vineyard in 1994; it is currently owned by English Wines plc who are also responsible for the Tenterden Vineyard. Wine is no longer made on site at Lamberhurst (the grapes are sent to Tenterden), but they have been careful to keep the characteristic and individuality of the Lamberhurst wines, currently using grapes from the 2000 vintage. The vineyard shop/bistro stocks Chapel Down and Curious Grape wines, as well as the award-winning Lamberhurst Estate wines.
- Open: Monday to Sunday 1000-1700. No entrance charge.
- Groups: charge of up to £3.50 per person for groups of 10+.
Wine inventory: Chapel Down, Curious Grape, Lamberhurst Estate.