Warehorne Vineyard: A Family-Run English Wine Estate on the Edge of Romney Marsh
Set in the gentle, sheep-grazed landscape where Kent dips down toward Romney Marsh, Warehorne Vineyard is one of England’s newest and most interesting family-run wine estates. Planted in May 2020 on a 10.2-hectare site beside the village of Warehorne, just south of Ashford, the vineyard today stretches across more than 15,000 vines and produces a thoughtful range of still and sparkling wines under the Oasthouse label. Co-owner Peter and his small team have built a Cellar Door open on Saturdays and Sundays where visitors can walk among the vines, taste the current vintage, and look out across the marsh all the way to Dungeness on a clear day.
From bare field to award-winning cellar
Warehorne Vineyard was conceived and planted during the spring lockdowns of 2020. The first tranche of 15,000 vines - Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay - went into the ground in May of that year, with a further 2,000 Cabernet Noir planted in 2021 and 8,000 Divico added in 2022. The site is now home to eight acres of vines that thrive in the warm, free-draining soils of the edge of Romney Marsh, with sea air and plenty of south-facing sky.
The first harvest came in October 2022, when a small army of friends, volunteers and neighbours hand-picked 9.5 tonnes of fruit - the moment, the team say, that turned the project from a vineyard into a true community winery. The inaugural “Oasthouse 2022 vintage” of still wines was released in 2023 alongside the opening of the Cellar Door, and the estate picked up its first major plaudits soon after, including a Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2024 for the Oasthouse Pinot Noir 2022 and a Highly Commended in the Taste of Kent Wine of the Year category.
By 2024 the vineyard was featured on ITV’s Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh, a milestone that helped put the young estate on the English wine map alongside older Kentish names. The team’s stated ambition is to specialise in English red wines, supported by a smaller but excellent range of whites, rosés and sparkling wines - and to grow the on-site visitor experience year on year.
Milestones at a glance
- 2020 - 15,000 vines planted (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Divico)
- 2021 - 2,000 Cabernet Noir planted
- 2022 - 8,000 Divico planted; first harvest of 9.5 tonnes, picked entirely by hand
- 2023 - Cellar Door opens; first vintage of still wines released
- 2024 - Featured on ITV’s Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh
- 2025 and beyond - New wines, new events and an expanding on-site experience
The vineyard and the vines
The estate grows seven grape varieties across roughly ten hectares, each chosen for its ability to ripen reliably in the cool, breezy climate of the Romney Marsh edge. Detailed vine notes cover each variety, and the team has been unusually open about the performance of each one.
Pinot Noir
Three distinct Pinot Noir selections are grown: two Champagne clones typically used for white, rosé or sparkling base wines, and a Burgundian selection made expressly for still red wine. In good vintages the skins are ripe enough to produce the estate’s flagship Oasthouse Pinot Noir.
Divico
The variety that sets Warehorne apart. Divico is a disease-resistant red crossing developed in Switzerland, bred to produce a full-bodied wine in cold climates such as Switzerland and the UK. The estate’s planting is one of the largest in England and yields a deep-coloured, richly fruited red with classic blackcurrant notes.
Cabernet Noir
Also known as Caberet Noir, this Swiss-bred crossing with Cabernet Sauvignon produces medium-bodied wines with bright acidity, fine tannin and aromatic lift. The first commercial harvest arrived in autumn 2023.
Chardonnay
The backbone of the still Oasthouse Estate White and the basis for future Blanc de Blanc sparkling wines. The cellar philosophy is unoaked, producing a more fruity, light and refreshing expression.
Pinot Meunier
A classic Champagne grape, blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for traditional-method sparkling wines.
Pinot Gris
The pink-skinned “blush” variety used for the Oasthouse Pinot Gris, a quietly aromatic dry white with notes of pear and melon.
The Oasthouse wine range
Eight wines make up the current Oasthouse collection. They are all available to buy online from the Warehorne Vineyard shop by the bottle, case of three or case of six, with free UK mainland delivery on orders over £100.
Still whites and rosé
- Oasthouse Estate White - from £20.99: an unoaked dry Chardonnay with citrus, golden apple and white pepper (WineGB 2025 Bronze; Vintage 2022 silver at the 2024 Independent English Wine Awards).
- Oasthouse Pinot Gris - from £21.99: dry, smooth and creamy with soft pear, apricot, melon and a touch of lemon zest (WineGB 2024 Bronze, vegan, 11.5%).
- Oasthouse Estate Rosé - from £17.99: a dry, vibrant blush of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, awarded a WineGB 2025 Silver (11%, vegan).
Still reds - the estate’s flagship focus
- Oasthouse Pinot Noir - from £22.99: light, ruby-red and gently fruity, with raspberry, cranberry and a baked-peach finish (Decanter World Wine Awards 2024 Silver; IWC 2024 Commended; Taste of Kent Highly Commended, 12%, vegan).
- Oasthouse Estate Red Reserve - from £23.99: a 40% Pinot Noir / 60% Divico blend, medium dry with earthy minerality and notes of spiced red plum, blackcurrant and cherry (WineGB 2025 Bronze, 11%).
- Oasthouse Divico - from £27.99: 100% Divico, full-bodied with deep purple colour and vibrant dark fruit (Decanter 2025 Bronze; Great British Food Awards 2024 finalist; 12%, vegan).
Sparkling wines
- Oasthouse Sparkling Wine - from £24.99: a Charmat-method white with peach, golden apple and lime, vegan-friendly brut (12%).
- Oasthouse Sparkling Rosé - from £24.99: nine months on lees, light salmon pink with cherries, strawberries, pomegranate and citrus (12%, Charmat method, vegan).
Joining the Warehorne Vineyard Cellar Club is free and unlocks an ongoing discount on every wine in the range, alongside early access to new releases and members-only offers. Discounts apply to wine only and not to experiences, gift cards or vouchers.
Visiting the Cellar Door
The Cellar Door and Visitor Centre sit beside the iconic Warehorne Oast, with the vineyard clearly visible from the road as you approach from Hamstreet. The exact address is Warehorne Vineyard, Warehorne Road, Warehorne, Ashford, Kent, TN26 2JT (what3words: ///vines.ripples.zaps). Driving directions from Ashford, Rye and the M20 are covered in the Visit Us guide.
Opening hours
The Cellar Door is open Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 5pm. These hours can occasionally change for weather or private events, so it is worth confirming before setting off.
Getting here by train, bus or taxi
Ham Street station, on the Southern Railway network, is just a 10 - 15 minute walk from the vineyard. High-speed services from London St Pancras reach Ashford International in roughly one hour, with a quick connecting train on to Ham Street. Two recommended local taxi firms are Ashford Premier Taxi (01233 666666) and Royal Cars Ashford (0333 444 6666). Local bus operators, including Stagecoach, also serve nearby Hamstreet.
Nearby places to stay
Recommended nearby accommodation includes the Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts, Lavender Cottage in Iden, Elvey Farm near Pluckley, and Horne’s Place Oast & Barn outside Appledore.
Vineyard experiences and tastings
Three ticketed experiences can be booked online. All tours begin at the Cellar Door and finish with the chance to buy any of the wines tasted.
Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting Experience - £15.00 per person
A guided walk through the vineyard lasting approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, covering the history of the estate, the vines, the winemaking process and the realities of the grape-growing season. The tour ends with a wine flight of all the current still wines. Private tours can be arranged by emailing tours@warehornevineyard.co.uk.
Wine Tasting Experience - £12.00 per person
A seated flight-only experience lasting about 1 hour: swirl, sip and explore the current releases with the team. Ideal for those who have already seen the vines or who are short on time.
Wine Tasting Evening at Hamstreet Village Hall - £20.00 per person
A community evening hosted by Peter at Hamstreet Village Hall (half a mile from the vineyard), featuring a guided tasting of the Oasthouse range, light nibbles and the chance to purchase bottles to take home.
Cheese and charcuterie boards - £30.00 per board
Cheese and charcuterie boards for two can be added to any booking when pre-ordered at least 72 hours in advance. Each board arrives with cheeses or cured meats, crackers, chutney, olives and butter - ideal alongside a glass of estate wine.
Gift cards and vouchers
- Warehorne Vineyard Gift Cards are available in denominations of £10, £20, £25, £30, £40, £50 and £100, redeemable online or at the Cellar Door and valid for five years from purchase.
- Vineyard Tour & Tasting Vouchers are sold at £15 per person (£30, £45 and £60 for two, three and four people). A digital voucher is emailed to the recipient, who redeems it online when booking.
Events
Warehorne Vineyard runs occasional ticketed evenings both on-site and at local venues. The flagship community event is the Wine Tasting Evening at Hamstreet Village Hall, hosted by Peter. Tickets are £20.00 per person and include a flight of Oasthouse wines plus light nibbles. Follow the vineyard on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming release events, harvest celebrations and pop-ups at food fairs.
Online orders, shipping and returns
The full wine range can be ordered online and is shipped across the UK via Royal Mail Tracked 48. Current shipping rates are £6.50 to England and Wales, £10.95 to Scotland, with free delivery on UK mainland orders over £100. Orders are usually dispatched within 2 - 4 working days, with collection from the Cellar Door available free of charge at checkout.
The refund policy allows a 30-day return window for unused products in their original packaging; damaged bottles must be reported within 48 hours of delivery with photographic evidence emailed to orders@warehornevineyard.co.uk. Gift cards are non-refundable in line with UK retail rules.
Contact details
- Address: Warehorne Vineyard, Warehorne Road, Warehorne, Ashford, Kent, TN26 2JT
- Phone: 07774 257180
- Email (general & orders): orders@warehornevineyard.co.uk
- Email (private tours & tastings): tours@warehornevineyard.co.uk
- Opening hours: Saturday & Sunday, 10am - 5pm
- Website: www.warehornevineyard.co.uk
- Facebook: facebook.com/warehornevineyard
- Instagram: instagram.com/warehornevineyard
Why a visit is worth it
A new generation of English winemakers is making seriously good red wine in the cooler counties of the south-east, and Warehorne Vineyard sits firmly at the front of that movement. With its unusual Divico plantings, multiple medal-winning Pinot Noir, family-run Cellar Door and tours that start at just £12 a head, the estate offers one of the most accessible introductions to modern English wine anywhere in Kent. Visitors leave with a glass in hand and a clear sense of how a five-year-old vineyard on the edge of Romney Marsh is already earning its place among the country’s most exciting producers.