Brabourne Vineyard: A Family-Run English Wine Estate at the Foot of the North Downs
Tucked into the chalky slopes of East Brabourne, at the foot of the Kent North Downs, Brabourne Vineyard is a small, family-run English wine estate that proves great things really do come in modest packages. In just over a decade, Paul and Hester Fenwick have transformed two acres of south-west facing land into a medal-winning vineyard producing traditional-method sparkling wines, elegant still whites, a fragrant still rosé and two characterful small-batch vermouths. Their story is one of handwork, community and deep roots in a Kentish village whose history stretches back more than a thousand years.
This is a complete guide to the vineyard, the people behind it, the wines they make, and how to plan a visit - whether for a vineyard tour and tasting, a long lazy lunch on a summer table booking, the annual open day, or a longer stay in the luxury Fig Cottage overlooking the vines.
A family-run vineyard in the heart of Kent
Brabourne Vineyard is, in every sense, a family business. The two-acre vineyard is tended by hand throughout the year, the wines are made in close partnership with the team at Oxney Wine Estate, and the small cellar door and tasting hut are run with the help of friends and neighbours. The vineyard describes itself succinctly as "a stunning family-run vineyard... a range of award-winning wines," and that balance of ambition and intimacy is exactly what visitors experience when they arrive.
You will find the vineyard in the village of East Brabourne, near Ashford in Kent, an area increasingly recognised as one of England's most exciting wine regions. The chalky soils, gentle aspect and clean rural setting provide near-perfect terroir for the two grape varieties the Fenwicks have chosen to grow: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Setting and terroir
The vineyard sits on a gently sloping, south-west facing parcel of land. That aspect matters: it gives the vines maximum exposure to the afternoon and evening sun, ripening fruit slowly and evenly through the long Kent growing season. Beneath the surface, the soil is the same chalky subsoil that has made the Champagne region famous for centuries. Chalk is exceptionally good at retaining water through dry summer months while also forcing vine roots deep into the ground in search of nutrients, which in turn concentrates flavour in the grapes.
The location at the foot of the North Downs, combined with the proximity to the English Channel, gives Brabourne a relatively mild, maritime microclimate. Winters are gentle, summers long and warm, and the autumns - critical for ripening Pinot Noir - usually remain dry enough to bring the harvest home in good order.
The story of Court Lodge: a history spanning a thousand years
The Fenwicks' home and vineyard are wrapped up in the story of Court Lodge, the historic farmhouse that sits at the heart of the property. Written records for the site go back remarkably far.
An estate first mentioned in 864
The earliest documented history comes from the will of Salburga, Lady of Brabourne, who lived in a manor house somewhere near the present Court Lodge. Dying in 864 AD, Salburga left ongoing provisions from her estate to the Augustine monks in exchange for their prayers for her soul. Her legacy is honoured in the vineyard's still rosé: the 2022 wine was named Sybilla after her, and the latest release is the 2025 vintage.
From the Domesday Book to the Knatchbulls
By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, Brabourne was one of the largest twenty per cent of English settlements recorded, with 49 houses and ruled over by local lord Hugh de Montfort. The village's 12th-century church still contains what is believed to be the oldest stained-glass window in the United Kingdom - glass that originally came from Syria. That window, with its distinctive medieval design, inspired the Brabourne Vineyard logo.
Local land changed hands between the great families of Kent for hundreds of years. By 1710, the present Court Lodge house was built and the farm was part of the Brabourne Estate owned by the Knatchbull family (later combined with the Mountbattens). As magistrates travelled from village to village hearing disputes, each parish had its own Court Lodge - which is how the property took on the name it still bears today.
The Hammons and the three redoubtable ladies
From the mid-19th century until the early 20th century the Hammon family occupied Court Lodge Farm for several generations. Their farm records, and some of the earliest photographs of the house, survive to this day.
After the upheaval of the two world wars - during which the house was occupied by armed forces - Court Lodge entered an inter-war period as a poultry farm before a more settled chapter began in 1945 with the arrival of three remarkable women. Princess Cantacuzino, Lady Charnwood and Carola Cochrane - who had met in St Moritz before the war - moved in together. Unable to return to her native Romania, the Princess was supported by the other two to build a life in England. Together they established a market garden, an apple orchard and a thriving poultry farm, selling their produce as far afield as Buckingham Palace. Court Lodge's beloved tasting room, the Nissen Hut, was salvaged by the three ladies as a store after the war and still stands at the heart of the vineyard today.
Meet the family behind the vines
Paul and Hester Fenwick met on a factory production line more than 25 years ago. For nearly a decade after that they moved around Europe for work, returning to the UK in 2012 with three children, all born abroad, and a clear yearning to put down roots. They fell in love with Court Lodge, its land and the village of East Brabourne - and, of course, with the local pub.
Originally looking only for enough ground for a few fruit trees and chickens, the size of the estate was initially daunting. But opportunities soon presented themselves. The chickens, ducks and geese multiplied, and the south-west facing chalk slope was recognised as near-perfect terroir for a vineyard. Paul enrolled at the respected Plumpton College to learn viticulture, soil samples were taken, specialist consultants advised on rootstocks and planting plans, and within just a few months the vines were in the ground.
Today, Paul divides his time between his weekday work in London and weekends spent nurturing the vines, while Hester focuses on country life and the wider local community. The (now) teens are still regularly press-ganged into spreading compost or helping with bunch counts, and at harvest time the family relies on the wider community - so many keen helpers have applied to pick that there's now a waiting list.
As the family likes to put it: "It may take a village to raise a child, but it also takes a community to pick eight tonnes of grapes in a few hours."
Fur & feathers: the animals of Brabourne
The vineyard is also home to a remarkable menagerie. What started with two Swiss cats and a few chickens has, over the years, expanded into breeding flocks of Orpington chickens, Cayuga and Silver Appleyard ducks, and West of England geese - more than a hundred birds in total. The family has also welcomed rescue dogs, rabbits, hamsters, bearded dragons, bees and, most recently, a flock of doves. Many of them still greet vineyard visitors.
The vineyard and surrounding land are managed with a constant thought for the environment. Unmown grassy areas, a refusal to use insecticides (even on red mite) and dedicated diversity areas mean the site supports a wide variety of flora and fauna. Plans are in place for wildlife ponds to extend the habitat further. As the family notes: "Our animals enjoy watching out for arriving vineyard visitors... we manage the vineyard and land with a constant thought for the environment."
The late vineyard greeter, Shadow, is remembered with affection, with a tribute that reads: "RIP Shadow, Chief Vineyard Greeter, 2023."
The vineyard: two acres tended by hand
The vines at Brabourne were planted in 2014, with the first harvest following in 2017. That first crop became the Blanc de Noirs 2020, the sparkling wine that launched the estate into the wider English wine world. Across two acres, every vine is tended by hand, year-round. Pruning, canopy management, leaf removal, harvest - all are done by family, friends and volunteers.
The grapes are pressed, fermented and bottled at Oxney Wine Estate in nearby Beckley, East Sussex, by winemakers Kristin and Salvatore. The estate has been harvesting every year since 2017, with a record haul of more than eight tonnes in 2023. The collaboration with Oxney is fundamental to Brabourne's style: as winemaker Salvatore Leone has said, "From Brabourne's grapes, we are able to create wines that are wonderfully clean and pure... a natural expression of English wine."
From grape to glass: winemaking at Oxney
Brabourne's winemaking is led by the grapes themselves. Each season, the team decides the best style to make from the year's fruit: in hot years the full, rounded flavours lend themselves to still wines; in cooler years, sparkling wines tend to shine. The estate also experiments with rosé, white, single varietals and vermouth.
All sparkling wines are made using the traditional method, with whole-bunch pressing for the finest cuvées. The wines are aged on lees in bottle for the optimum amount of time and the aim is to meet PDO quality standards across the range. Hand-picking and a careful bunch-by-bunch quality check at harvest ensure only the best fruit goes into the press.
So far, that approach has been recognised with several medals at the prestigious national WineGB Awards. The 2017 Blanc de Noirs and 2018 Classic Cuvée both won silver, while the 2019 Rosé de Noirs took bronze - strong results in a fiercely competitive national field.
The Brabourne range
All of the vineyard's current wines are available to buy directly through the online shop, where a mix-and-match case of any six bottles earns a 10% discount at checkout. Most wines are offered either as a single bottle or as a case of six.
Sparkling wines
- Brabourne Classic Cuvée 2022 - £37 single / £185 case of 6. A poised traditional-method English sparkling wine with generous orchard-fruit aromatics: peach, tangerine zest and a snap of red apple. The mousse is taut and energetic; acidity gives definition with a subtle walnut warmth. Pairs well with seafood, chicken, roasted vegetables, fruit desserts and creamy cheese. Best served chilled at 8 - 10°C.
- Brabourne Blanc de Noirs 2020 - £37 single / £185 case of 6. A traditional-method sparkling made from Pinot Noir, with a captivating aroma of red apple skin, warm stone fruit and crumble. The palate is fresh and crisp, beautifully balanced by notes of white cherry and hazelnut, finishing with a hint of brioche crust. 11.7% ABV. Serve at 5 - 8°C.
- Brabourne Sparkling Selection - £185 per case of 6. Three bottles of the Classic Cuvée 2022 and three of the Blanc de Noirs 2020, for those who find it hard to choose between the two.
Still wines
- 2023 Adeliza White Pinot Noir - £20 single / £100 case of 6. A delectable white Pinot Noir with a delicate golden colour. Its expressive nose brings rose petals, peach, orange zest and apricot in an elegant bouquet; the palate is juicy, soft and refreshing. Pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables, salads, seafood and fruit. Serve at 9 - 11°C. 11.2% ABV.
- 2023 Albermarle Chardonnay - £22 single / £110 case of 6. Fragrant notes of green apple, lemon and mint on the nose with hints of lime. Very refreshing on the palate, mineral and crisp - a delicious accompaniment to salads and seafood. Serve at 10 - 12°C. 10.5% ABV.
- 2025 Sybilla Rosé - £20 single / £100 case of 6. A vibrant, glossy rosé led by an aromatic lift of nectarine and apple blossom, with a generous palate of ripe strawberry and juicy watermelon. Plush, rounded texture, mild acidity, easy drinkability. Named after Salburga, Lady of Brabourne.
Vermouth
- Brabourne Red Vermouth - £22 single / £110 case of 6 (50cl, 15% ABV). Made from Pinot Noir grapes grown in the hot summer of 2025 and enhanced with locally grown botanicals including vineyard rose petals, fig leaves, lavender and herbs, plus clove, aniseed and vanilla. Perfect as a summer aperitif over ice with a slice of orange, neat in winter with creamy goats cheese, or as the base of a Negroni.
- Brabourne White Vermouth - £22 single / £110 case of 6. A limited-edition addition to the range, made from a base of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines aged in oak, then fortified with the extract of botanicals grown around the vineyard, including fig leaves, winter savory, lavender and wormwood. Delightfully creamy and gently herbal. 15% ABV.
Accessories and gift vouchers
- Brabourne Sparkling Wine Bottle Stopper - £8. A Brabourne-branded sparkling wine stopper with an air-lung mechanism that keeps fizz fresh for up to seven days.
- Gift Voucher - send a loved one a gift voucher by email so they can choose from the vineyard's range of wines or book a Tour & Tasting experience.
Visit Brabourne: tours, tastings and events
Brabourne welcomes visitors in several different ways - from a full guided tour and tasting, to weekend table bookings in the summer, to the annual open day that brings the whole village together. Full details and the latest schedule are listed below.
Tours & tastings
Tours are run for small groups (no mixing with other parties, so the experience is bespoke to your own interests) and take place five days a week by appointment. The visit typically begins with a walk through the vineyard with the first glass of fizz in hand, as the team explains how the vines are cared for and the story of the estate. The group then returns to the tasting room - the beautifully restored WW2 Nissen Hut - to taste more of the wines and learn about how they are made. The whole experience normally lasts just over an hour.
You are welcome to stay on afterwards, enjoy the views, and buy additional wine or food to drink on site. Tour participants also receive an extra 10% discount on wines purchased to take home, on top of any other cellar door discounts.
A cheese platter can be pre-ordered with your booking. Bookings of up to eight people can be made online via the live availability calendar; for larger groups, contact the vineyard directly. Cancellations more than 28 days in advance are fully refundable; within 28 days refunds are at the vineyard's discretion. Practical notes include:
- Wear suitable footwear - even without the full vineyard walk, the tasting hut is reached across grass.
- Up to 15 people can be seated inside; that is generally the limit for booked tours and tastings.
- Parking for up to two cars is available in the courtyard; in dry weather the field can be opened up for more.
- Children and well-behaved dogs are welcome.
- Unfortunately, the bathroom facilities are not wheelchair accessible - contact the team in advance if you have any access needs and they will do their best to help.
Book a tour & tasting online.
Book a table
For visitors who would simply like to enjoy a few glasses of wine with friends (and maybe some food) without the full tour, Brabourne now takes outdoor table bookings at weekends during the summer months (May to September). There is no charge for the booking itself and no charge for cancelling, but visitors are asked to let the team know if plans change. Each table seats up to eight people comfortably - for larger groups, contact the vineyard directly. There is no guided tasting, but staff are happy to answer questions, and a cheese platter can be pre-ordered with the booking.
Vineyard Open Day 2026
The annual Vineyard Open Day on Saturday 12 September 2026 (11am - 6pm) is the highlight of the year. No booking is needed - visitors are welcome to drop in and celebrate the upcoming harvest alongside a host of partner producers.
Featured producers include:
- Blacksfield Vineyard, fellow East Brabourne vineyard, with their full selection of wines available to taste and buy.
- Rowie's Pizza, serving freshly cooked Neapolitan pizza.
- Gabi from The Black Horse at Monks Horton, with a selection of artisanal cheeses and other nibbles.
- Kingsdown Presses, Kent Crisps and Simply Ice-cream.
- Live music from Mora Latino, bringing a Latin vibe that draws on South American styles from samba and salsa to reggaeton and rumba.
Visitors are asked to park considerately in the field opposite the vineyard and enter via the field gate beyond the courtyard. With glass in hand and a picnic assembled from the stalls, it is set to be a long afternoon of relaxation.
The vineyard also runs occasional pop-ups and unscheduled drop-in sessions, shared on their Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Stay at Fig Cottage
For visitors who want to linger longer, Fig Cottage is a luxury self-catering holiday home overlooking the vineyard, finished to a high standard and set in what the owners describe as a truly magical location. The cottage allows guests to enjoy the tranquillity of the vineyard and the wider grounds at their leisure.
Adding to the appeal, the award-winning Five Bells pub - winner of Kent Pub of the Year 2019 at the National Pub and Bar Awards, among many others - is just a short walk along the village street. The Five Bells also has four characterful rooms and stocks Brabourne wine.
Book Fig Cottage through Cottages.com.
Where to stay nearby
Fig Cottage books up quickly, particularly in high season. The village and surrounding area offer a wide range of alternatives for every style and group size:
- Bulltown Farmhouse - 15th-century farmhouse B&B in West Brabourne, about a mile away.
- Horton View Farm - peaceful, adult-only camping and bell-tent glamping in Ashford, about a mile away.
- Zenith Glamping / Cherry Tree Dome - Airbnb dome house in Smeeth, about two miles away.
- Water Farm House - ideal for bigger groups (sleeps up to 12) in Stowting, about two miles away.
- The Sunny Field - secluded, family-friendly camping and glamping in the Kentish countryside, just over two miles away.
- Home Barn - luxurious holiday house in Rhodes Minnis, sleeping up to 15, about four miles away.
For visitors wanting full hotel luxury, two Ashford properties come highly recommended by the vineyard:
- Boys Hall Restaurant & Stays - a multi-award-winning hotel and restaurant on the same side of Ashford as the vineyard.
- Eastwell Manor / Champneys Spa Hotel - a high-end hotel and health club slightly further into Ashford.
How to find Brabourne Vineyard
The vineyard is at Court Lodge, The Street, East Brabourne, Nr. Ashford, Kent TN25 5LR. The what3words reference is cheeses.ideals.mild.
You can contact the team by:
- Phone: 01303 814432
- Mobile: 07874 855340
- Email: enquiries@brabournewine.com
Visits to the cellar door are by appointment. The vineyard is active on Facebook and Instagram, where they share news of drop-in sessions and pop-up events.
Final thoughts
Brabourne Vineyard is the kind of English wine estate that quietly gets on with doing things properly. Hand-tended vines on chalky North Downs soil, a tight, hand-picked range of wines made with one of the country's most respected winemaking teams at Oxney, and a family at the heart of it all who are deeply connected to their village and their patch of Kent. The medals are well deserved, but they only tell part of the story: the real pleasure of Brabourne is being shown around the vineyard by Hester, drinking fizz in the Nissen Hut, and then walking back through the vines to a holiday cottage that looks out across them. It is English wine, and English hospitality, at its very best.