Ragstone Ridge - A New Chapter for an Old Kent Vineyard at East Hall Farm
Nestled in the rolling countryside around Boughton Monchelsea, just south of Maidstone, Ragstone Ridge is a young, family-run English vineyard with a quietly ambitious story to tell. Planted in 2019 on twenty acres of ragstone-rich Kent farmland, the site is being carefully coaxed back to vineyard life by cousins Phil and James Catt, and the first vintages of still and sparkling wines are now finding their way into bottles, picnics, and tables across the country.
For anyone looking for English wine with a real sense of place, a clear family story behind it, and the bonus of a vineyard you can actually visit, Ragstone Ridge ticks every box. Here is who they are, what they make, how to visit, and how to order.
A new vineyard, an old tradition
Ragstone Ridge sits at East Hall Farm on Wierton Hill, a property with a documented history of winemaking stretching back centuries. The founders' own telling of the story is wonderfully romantic: in the 1600s, the neighbouring East Hall House was home to a man named Thomas Barham, who held the title of "keeper of the pipe" and oversaw the local wine trade. Their flagship cuvée, the Old Pipe Reserve, pays homage to that legacy.
Phil and James are not full-time winemakers by background. They run a thriving wholesale business alongside the vineyard, but their connection to the land at East Hall Farm inspired them to revive the tradition. After careful planning, the first vines went into the ground in 2019. Five years later, that work is starting to bear real fruit, quite literally, with a maiden collection that captures both still and sparkling styles.
The vineyard and its terroir
Twenty acres of Kentish ragstone
The vineyard covers twenty acres of south-facing land on the ragstone ridge that gives the winery its name. Ragstone is a hard, limestone-rich rock that underlies much of the Maidstone area and weathers into the thin, mineral-rich, free-draining soils that classic grape varieties love. It is the same geological story you find in parts of Burgundy and Champagne, and it shows in the glass: bright acidity, fine minerality, and a refreshing precision across the range.
Grape varieties
Three grape varieties dominate the planting, chosen because they have proven themselves on the best Kent and English sites:
- Pinot Noir, the red backbone of Champagne and English sparkling, here used in still and sparkling wines.
- Chardonnay, the great white of Burgundy and Champagne, contributing structure and elegance.
- Bacchus, an aromatic, Sauvignon Blanc-style variety that has become a signature of English still white wine, particularly in Kent.
The Pinot Meunier that features in the rosé blends (long a Champagne staple) completes the picture of a vineyard deliberately planted for finesse and freshness.
The wines
Ragstone Ridge's debut collection is split into still wines and sparkling wines, with prices set firmly in the premium but accessible bracket for English wine. All wines are made from estate-grown fruit and produced in collaboration with Defined Wine, who helped the team blend and finish the sparkling cuvées.
Still wines
Bacchus 2024 - £25
A vivid, aromatic white that captures everything English Bacchus fans love. Elderflower, citrus blossom and freshly cut herbs on the nose lead into a crisp palate of green apple, gooseberry and white peach, with a bright mineral edge and long, elegant finish. Buy Bacchus 2024.
Chardonnay 2024 - £25
Pure, unoaked Chardonnay showing the elegance of cool-climate white winemaking: stone fruit, citrus and a clean, mineral-driven finish. Buy Chardonnay 2024.
Oaked Chardonnay 2024 - £30
A more generous, textured Chardonnay with ripe stone fruit, sweet apple and subtle patisserie notes from careful oak use. The palate is round and full, balanced by crisp green-apple acidity. Buy Oaked Chardonnay 2024.
Rosé 2024 - £25
A vibrant blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. Aromas of wild strawberry, redcurrant and rose petals lead into a bright palate of raspberry, white peach and citrus zest, finishing refreshingly dry with a subtle mineral backbone. Buy Rosé 2024.
Pinot Noir 2024 - £30
Bright cherry, raspberry and redcurrant aromas backed up by subtle toasty oak notes. The palate is full of crunchy red fruits and soft, ripe tannins, a polished, modern English Pinot. Buy Pinot Noir 2024.
Sparkling wines
English Sparkling Wine - £35
A traditional-method blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Layers of crisp green apple, ripe pear and citrus unfold with hints of toasted brioche and hazelnut. A fine, persistent mousse and bright acidity lead to a long, elegant finish. Buy English Sparkling Wine.
English Sparkling Rosé - £35
A sparkling rosé blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. Wild strawberry, redcurrant and citrus blossom on the nose; raspberry, white peach and fresh red apple on the palate; a fine mineral edge and delicate bubbles to finish dry and refreshing. Buy English Sparkling Rosé.
As a young vineyard releasing its debut collection, individual wines regularly sell out between vintages, so early ordering is recommended.
Beyond the bottle: vineyard honey
Wine is not the only thing being produced at Ragstone Ridge. The team has also welcomed bees to the site, and the vineyard's hives now produce a limited run of Borage honey at £7 a jar.
Borage (the starflower) has been prized since ancient Greek times for its flavour and supposed restorative properties. The honey is renowned for its sweetness, unique colour, clarity and delicate aroma, and makes a natural partner for the wines. Shop for honey.
Open Days and vineyard events
Ragstone Ridge keeps its events programme simple but well considered. The headline summer fixture for 2026 is a two-day Open Weekend at the vineyard itself.
Open Days 8th and 9th August - Admission only (£5)
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August, 11am to 6pm both days. Tickets are £5 per person (children free) and include entry to the vineyard, the vineyard bar, the chance to taste the full wine range, live music from Burn the Boat, face painting for children, food from Nacho Wagon and Defender of Taste wood-fired pizza, and the chance to wander the vineyard at your leisure. Dogs on leads are welcome, on-site parking is available, and Kent produce picnic baskets can be pre-ordered. Buy admission-only tickets.
Open Days 8th and 9th August - Admission plus (£20)
Same weekend, same hours, but for £20 per person you also receive a complimentary glass of wine and a Ragstone Ridge wine glass to take home. Children still go free. This is the option to pick if you want a keepsake from your visit. Buy admission-plus tickets.
Visiting the vineyard
The vineyard address for events is Ragstone Ridge Vineyard, East Hall Hill, Boughton Monchelsea, ME17 4DA (What3Words: Plotting.Globe.Skate). Following the Ragstone Ridge Instagram is the best way to hear about future events.
The Kentish Wine Menu
Ragstone Ridge runs a Kentish Wine Menu in partnership with several prestigious Kent vineyards, an initiative that makes ordering local English wine straightforward for visitors and trade customers alike. The premise is simple: Kent is now the largest wine-producing county in England, and a number of its best producers are joining forces to make ordering local English wine as easy as possible. The full menu continues to be expanded.
Ordering, shipping and returns
Delivery
Ragstone Ridge currently ships within England and Scotland only. The practical details are as follows:
- Orders are processed within 1 - 3 business days (excluding weekends and bank holidays).
- Standard shipping within England, Wales and Scotland takes 2 - 4 business days.
- Shipping is £7.99 for up to 5 bottles, and free for orders of 6 or more bottles.
- Tracking details are emailed once the order ships.
- No international shipping is offered at present.
Refunds and cancellations
Customers may cancel their order within seven working days of delivery, provided all bottles are returned unopened and undamaged. A £20 surcharge may apply to cover delivery and collection, and a 10% restocking fee is also applied. Damaged or faulty bottles must be reported within 24 hours of delivery for replacement or refund.
Contact and customer support
Behind the boutique branding sits a small, approachable team. The fastest ways to get in touch are email, telephone, or post:
- Email: orders@ragstoneridgewine.co.uk
- Telephone: 01622 743537
- Address: Ragstone Ridge, East Hall Farm, Wierton Hill, Maidstone, ME17 4JT
Creating a customer account unlocks faster checkout, order tracking and the option to subscribe to news of new releases.
Updates from the vineyard
Ragstone Ridge regularly shares updates on the early life of the project, offering a genuine window into the team's first years. Recent entries include:
- Home is where the hive is…, announcing the arrival of the on-site beehives and the launch of the Borage honey.
- Life is short, join us and drink the good wine!, counting down to the launch of the first wine collection five years after the 2019 planting.
- All for wine, and wine for all!, a visit to Defined Wine to finalise the blends for the sparkling cuvée and taste the Blanc de Blancs.
The tone is unfussy, friendly and very much in keeping with a small family team opening up their first vintage.
Why Ragstone Ridge matters for English wine
Kent is the engine room of the English wine boom, and vineyards like Ragstone Ridge are exactly the kind of producer the category needs: family-run, single-site, with a serious varietal mix and a clear willingness to invest in both sparkling and still styles. The fact that Phil and James are reviving a documented centuries-old winemaking tradition on the same farm, and naming a cuvée after the man who kept the local "pipe", gives the brand a depth that younger vineyards often lack.
The debut wines are tight, terroir-driven and beautifully priced in the £25 to £35 bracket, and the Open Days give a real chance to taste them on the land where they were grown.