Brissenden Vineyard: A Family-Run Kent Vineyard Crafting English Sparkling Wines from Vine to Bottle
Brissenden Vineyard: A Family-Run Sparkling Wine Estate in the Heart of Kent
Nestled in the rolling countryside of Kent, the garden of England, Brissenden Vineyard is a small, family-run English wine estate that has been quietly crafting fine English Sparkling Wines since the current custodians took over the vines in 2017. Across seven glorious acres of established vines, set within the wider Brissenden farm, the team tends Pinot Noir, Bacchus, Reichensteiner and recently-planted Chardonnay, making every drop of wine from grapes that never leave the site. The result is a down-to-earth, hands-on winery that welcomes visitors in for tours, tastings, family trails, camping, and self-catered stays beneath the vines.
What makes Brissenden special is the decision to do everything in one place. From pruning and leaf-plucking through harvest, pressing, fermentation and bottling, the grapes are grown, made and bottled on the same patch of Kent soil. The vineyard is overseen by winemaker Kobus Louw and a tight-knit team that includes three generations of the family, supported by a small and mighty band of employees and volunteers who together form the extended Brissenden family. It is a resolutely honest, open setup that the team proudly describe as a behind-the-scenes view of what it is really like to run a vineyard.
The Brissenden Story: From Established Vines to a New Chapter
The Brissenden site is not a brand-new vineyard. The oldest vines on the property are over 30 years old, and it was those established plantings of Pinot Noir, Bacchus and Reichensteiner that first drew the founders in. In 2017, the family found their perfect field: seven acres of mature vines with wide avenues and generous aisles, perfectly suited for both the grapes and the people who would come to visit them. The plot sits on gently sloping ground with views out across the Kent countryside, and the team has shaped it into both a working winery and a rural escape.
The name Brissenden comes from the farm itself, and you can find the vineyard at Little Brissenden on East Sutton Road, Kent, ME17 3DU. Tucked into the wider farm, the vineyard is bordered by ancient oaks and surrounded by fields that are usually occupied by sheep, giving the place a classic, gentle English agricultural feel. Whether you arrive for a guided walk, a tasting flight, a weekend of camping with friends, or simply to pick up a bottle of the estate's own English Sparkling Wine, the location is the perfect foil for the wines themselves.
From Vine to Wine: A Truly Plot-to-Bottle Approach
Brissenden takes a deliberate, hands-on approach to grape-growing and winemaking. The team is proud that the grapes go from grapevine to bottle without ever leaving Brissenden, which is unusual for a small English winery and a key part of the plot's identity. The vines are tended by hand across the season, with vineyard jobs timed to the rhythms of the British countryside.
Spring and Summer in the Vines
Once the weather warms, the team embarks on the meticulous work of leaf plucking, tucking in and topping. Leaf plucking is done by hand at Brissenden, removing leaves around the fruit zone to let in more sunlight, improve airflow and reduce the risk of disease. They start with the Pinot Noir, then move on to the Bacchus, because Bacchus is more inclined to suffer from sunburn. The remaining leaves higher up the canopy are left in place to keep photosynthesis working hard. After leaf plucking comes "topping and trimming" - giving the vines a haircut to focus the vine's energy into the fruit zone, lighten the canopy so the trellis wires can hold the shoots neatly, and make sure the tractor can pass between the rows for mowing.
By mid to late summer, the vineyard reaches the magical stage of veraison, the moment when the grapes change colour and begin to ripen. It is the signal that harvest is approaching, and the team switches into the next phase of the seasonal workload: protecting the ripening fruit from thistles, wasps, and small birds, while welcoming the local birds of prey that help to keep the smaller grape-eaters at bay. It is a battle fought with natural predators, well-timed leaf work, and a healthy dose of optimism about the British weather.
Harvest and the Winery
Harvest decisions are made in the vineyard, by taste and by numbers. The Pinot Noir is picked when the balance of sugars and acidity is perfect for the estate's signature Brut Sparkling Wine. The Bacchus is harvested separately, destined for the still wine that the team describe as crisp and dry, with a fan-favourite elderflower character. Inside the winery, the processes are likewise done by hand. Only the first pressings are used, and the sparkling wine is left on the lees for at least two years to develop the depth and finesse that winemaker Kobus Louw is looking for.
The Wines: Sparkling, Still and a Touch of Cider
The Brissenden range centres on three key products, all produced from estate-grown fruit.
- Brut Sparkling Wine - English Sparkling Wine made from the estate's Pinot Noir, with classic méthode-travaise style production, first pressings only, and a minimum of two years on the lees.
- Bacchus Still Wine - A crisp, dry white wine with signature elderflower notes that admirers return to year after year.
- Sparkling Cider - A fine, off-dry sparkling cider produced on the same site, made from locally grown apples.
Wines are sold through the Brissenden online shop, with free UK delivery on all orders and a discount for visitors who collect in person. International shipping is available by arrangement. As well as the wines, the shop also sells bundles, cases and gift options, and the vineyard offers a rather charming sideline: bundles of kindling sticks made from the vine prunings that are cut each winter. These are available to collect in person for £3 per bundle.
Visit Brissenden: Tours, Tastings and Bespoke Experiences
Brissenden offers a range of visitor experiences, all of which can be tailored to any group.
Guided Vineyard Tours
The signature experience is a private guided vineyard tour, led by a member of the team. The walk takes visitors through a year in the life of Brissenden, covering the seasonal work in the vines, the growing cycle, and the story of the estate. After the outdoor walk, guests step into the winery to learn about what happens behind the scenes, from pressing and fermentation through to bottling and riddling. Private tours can be arranged via the Visit page or the enquiry form.
Experience Days and Bespoke Packages
For those who want to taste as well as learn, the team offers a range of experience days. Beyond the standard guided tour, these can be combined with tastings of the estate's wines and sparkling cider, paired with local platters, afternoon tea or a breakfast basket. The team builds bespoke packages to suit small celebrations, corporate away-days, and special gatherings of friends.
Venue Hire: The Function Room
Brissenden is also available as a private venue. The estate has a lovely function room in its own self-contained barn, complete with a fridge, electricity points, a wood burner, and access to a toilet just across the drive. It is the perfect spot for parties, family gatherings, and quite unexpected things like meditation retreats. The room can be hired with or without a table tennis table, and can be combined with tours, tastings, food platters and the vineyard's wines for a full day out.
Picnic Benches
For a simpler, do-it-yourself visit, the team offers picnic bench hire. Pick a spot amongst the vines, bring your own picnic, and order a bottle of Brissenden wine to enjoy exactly where the grapes were grown. It is a relaxed way to soak up the setting without committing to a full tour.
Seasonal Family Trails
Brissenden runs a series of themed family trails throughout the year, including the popular Summer Spy Trail and the autumn Halloween Trail. The trails are designed to be enjoyed in different ways: take a leisurely stroll guided by a map, borrow a UV torch to read hidden messages, decode clues to find the next station, or ignore the clues entirely and just enjoy the walk. Each trail is set up to finish with a themed treat for the children, with the option of a refreshing tipple for the grown-ups. Trails are booked by appointment and paid for in advance, with places limited to ensure everyone has a good time. The Summer Spy Trail costs £5 per person, with past advertised dates ranging from late July through late August and multiple chances to take part across the school holidays.
Stay at Brissenden: Camping and the Vineyard Annexe
For those who want to linger longer amongst the vines, Brissenden offers two accommodation options: a private group campsite and a comfortable annexe.
Camping amongst the Vines
The Brissenden campsite is set right in the middle of the vineyard, on a grass site on a gentle slope well back from the road. The eastern edge is lined with mature oaks through which you can see a neighbouring field, usually populated by sheep. The other three sides are wrapped in vines, giving a sense of being entirely immersed in the working vineyard. The site accommodates four generous plots, each big enough for a large family tent, with plenty of room for children to run around.
Bookings are taken exclusively for the whole site, on mid-week or weekend blocks that can be combined for longer stays. Camping is positioned as "not your usual tenting trip" - the campsite sits in the sweet spot between fully wild camping and a serviced site, with essential facilities available, but with the focus firmly on the unusual setting. Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and are secured once a 30% deposit has been paid. A range of extras can be added in advance, including use of the function room (with or without table tennis), vineyard tours and tastings, bottles of Brissenden wine and sparkling cider, breakfast baskets, afternoon tea, ploughman's platters, and a barbecue kit with locally sourced meat and marshmallows, complete with a grill for the firepit.
The Vineyard Annexe
For those who prefer a roof over their heads, Brissenden also offers a two-bedroom annexe that sleeps up to six people. The accommodation has a double room, a twin room and a sofa bed, plus a balcony with beautiful views across the vineyard. The annexe is ideal for combining with a private tour and tasting, so guests can fully immerse themselves in the vines and the wines. Availability and bookings are handled through the enquiry form.
What's On at Brissenden: Events Through the Year
Brissenden runs a packed calendar of events. Highlights include the Halloween Trail, the Open Bar evenings, the popular Quiz Night, and the festive Wreath Workshop in late November.
The Halloween Trail
The autumn half-term family event, the Halloween Trail, is set for Tuesday 28th October during half-term week. Children follow clues based on a picture book, hunting the answers amongst the vines using a vineyard map. There are two trails, one aimed at younger children aged 5 to 9 and one for older children aged 7 to 13, so families can pick the right level of challenge. Younger children can take part but will need help reading the story and filling in the clues, while older children tend to make excellent readers and team leaders. The trail costs £5 per group, with optional trick-or-treat bags at the end for £2.50 each, and the tasting room is open for refreshments for both children and adults.
Wreath Workshop
The festive Wreath Workshop is a collaboration with Handcraft With Helen, taking place over two evenings in late November: Friday 28th November from 7pm to 9pm, and Saturday 29th November from 2pm to 4pm. Guests enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Brissenden with a glass of sparkling wine while creating their own festive wreath, with all equipment supplied. The open bar helps to keep everyone topped up, and the ticket is £50 per person. Limited spaces are available, with pre-booking essential.
Quiz Night
The Quiz Night is scheduled for Friday 21st November, with details to be confirmed closer to the date.
Open Bar Evenings
The team also runs regular Open Bar Wine Tasting & Games Evenings, with the open bar set in the tasting room and a relaxed, social atmosphere. Dates for the next open bar evenings are to be announced.
Christmas Markets and Festive Opening Hours
During the festive season, Brissenden takes its wines on the road to two local Christmas markets: the Lenham Midwinter Market at The Tithe Barn (Friday 14th November 5 to 7pm, Saturday 15th November 10am to 4pm, Sunday 16th November 10am to 4pm) and the Egerton Village Christmas Fair at Egerton Village Hall (Saturday 13th December 2 to 5pm). The vineyard itself also opens for Christmas sales from Monday 1st December to Friday 19th December, weekdays 10am to 2pm, plus Saturday 6th December 10am to 4pm.
How to Find Brissenden Vineyard
Brissenden Vineyard is located at Little Brissenden, East Sutton Road, Kent, ME17 3DU. The estate sits in the wider Brissenden farm, with the vineyard, campsite, annexe and function room all on the same site. The general email is info@brissendenvineyard.com.
Wines, sparkling cider, kindling sticks, gift bundles and cases are available through the Brissenden online shop, with free UK delivery and a discount for in-person collection. The vineyard shares seasonal updates, harvest progress, and announcements of new events and wine releases on Instagram and Facebook.
The Brissenden Ethos: Family, Friends and Fine English Wines
At its heart, Brissenden is a story about people. The team describes itself as "open and friendly", with an honest, down-to-earth approach and a dedication to making delicious English Sparkling Wines while making visitors feel at home. The vineyard's success is owed in no small part to the generosity of friends and helpers, and the team tries to give back by inviting the community in for family trails, festive events, summer spy schools, and the simpler pleasure of a quiet picnic bench under the vines. Whether you arrive for a glass of crisp Bacchus, a bottle of estate-grown Brut, a family trail, a weekend of camping, or a longer stay in the vineyard annexe, Brissenden is a brilliant example of the warmth and quiet confidence of modern English wine.