Brewery partners up to unveil its first English wine collection

Britain’s oldest brewer, Faversham-based Shepherd Neame, has launched its first collection of English wines, in collaboration with award-winning Balfour Winery. The two family-owned, independent Kent businesses have come together to create English Garden, comprising an elegant white wine and crisp rosé using Kentgrown grapes.

It is the first time that Shepherd Neame –known for centuries of brewing beer – has released its own English wine, working with the team at Balfour’s Hush Heath Estate in the heart of the Weald. The English Garden White Bacchus boasts appealing aromas of rose petal and elderflower, along with vibrant citrus flavours and hints of apple.

A dusky pink in colour, the English Garden Rosé offers aromas of ripe summer strawberries, raspberries and rose petal. It has a crisp flavour with a finish of lush wild nectarine and hint of thyme.

Michael Prior, Shepherd Neame’s Wines and Spirits Manager, said: “Shepherd Neame is committed to working with local businesses and suppliers wherever possible and we are passionate about championing English wines, including offerings from our Kentish heartland. We are delighted to see this special partnership come to fruition and look forward to our customers enjoying our beautiful and elegant English Garden wine.”

Balfour’s Head Winemaker, Fergus Elias, who led the team in producing the new collection, said: “This is a really exciting time for English winemaking, particularly in Kent, which is becoming known as the Wine Garden of England with more and more vineyards being introduced in the region. We were delighted to work with Shepherd Neame on this exciting project to raise the profile of Kentish wines and are incredibly proud of the finished result.”

The wine, which is produced and bottled by Balfour Winery near Marden, is now available by the glass or bottle in selected Shepherd Neame pubs across Kent, London and the South East.

For further information visit www.shepherdneame.co.uk.

2024 has seen the extensive refurbishment of a Kent hotel, with purpose-built meeting rooms created to serve the business community.

Holiday Inn Ashford North A20 boasts a new, modern “open lobby” with Sky TV, games and magazines, all designed to create a “home from home” feeling for its guests, as well as its new “E-bar” experience, which includes plug sockets, a wireless printer and high-speed internet for use by visitors.

In addition, eight bright and flexible meeting rooms have been created to fulfil the needs of business customers and, with space for anywhere between one and 125 delegates plus air conditioning, the rooms should suit all needs, whether a one-on-one interview or team-wide events.

For those staying over, the bedrooms have also undergone revitalisation, and the accommodation comes with unlimited Sky TV and 24-hour room service availability.

Holiday Inn Ashford North A20 says it welcomes visitors to call in and see for themselves why the meeting spaces could work for their business.

To book or get in touch, see www.hiashford.co.uk