Wildshark Vineyard

Wildshark Vineyard: A Sustainable English Wine Estate in the Heart of Kent

Nestled in the rolling Kent North Downs near Harrietsham and Maidstone, Wildshark Vineyard is one of England’s most exciting eco-friendly wine estates. Touted as sitting on one of the best plots in the country for vine cultivation, Wildshark combines award-winning English still and sparkling wines, a distinctive portfolio of artisan gins, vineyard tours, wood-fired pizzas, a lakeside sauna and a packed year-round events calendar - all just one hour from London.

Where Science Meets Poetry: The Story of Wildshark

Wildshark Vineyard is a vineyard born from ancient seas. The estate was shaped by fossils and cosmic origins, and named in respect of the sea creatures - including Megalodon and White sharks - that swam here during the Cretaceous period, when the North Downs formed the bed of a vast ocean. As the team puts it, Wildshark Vineyard has been one hundred million years in the making, and its wines carry that quiet, layered sense of place.

The team works with nature as a partner. By companion planting a diverse range of local wildflowers drawn from the vineyard’s natural habitat, they encourage beneficial insects that naturally protect the vines, reducing intervention and supporting a healthy, eco-friendly ecosystem. Biodiversity is further strengthened through the planting of native trees from the surrounding area; since 2023 more than 8,000 trees have been planted, restoring balance and creating habitats for a wide variety of bird species.

All Wildshark grapes are grown with an uncompromising focus on quality and provenance. Each variety is sourced exclusively from a single vineyard so that the character of the land speaks clearly through the fruit. Grapes are hand-picked at optimal ripeness, and from chalk and greensand to fossil-rich soils alive with wildflowers, the site is carefully stewarded to express its unique geology and microclimate. The result is fruit of purity, balance and natural elegance - the foundation for wines and spirits that are truly expressive of place.

The Grape Varieties at Wildshark

Wildshark works with five core grape varieties, each chosen and matched to specific parcels of the estate.

• Chardonnay - Finds its natural voice in chalk, with conditions that shape a wine defined by balance and the quiet depth of the vineyard’s deep geological past, lending subtle mineral tension. Elegant, structured, mineral-led.
• Bacchus - Beneath the vines, green sand shapes a wine that is bright, expressive and unmistakably English, while pockets of wildflowers between the rows add vitality to the vineyard landscape. Fresh, floral and aromatic.
• Pinot Noir - Responds intimately to its environment. At Wildshark, fossil-rich soils and England’s cool, changeable climate produce a wine of delicacy, brightness and subtle complexity. Light-bodied, expressive, elegant.
• Pinot Gris - Takes on a subtle, expressive character at Wildshark, where fossil-rich soils meet a living vineyard floor alive with wildflowers. Once part of an ancient seabed, the land now supports vines that produce wines with clarity, gentle texture and quiet freshness. Crisp, textured, delicately aromatic.
• Pinot Meunier - Often overlooked, Pinot Meunier thrives in cooler climates and changing conditions, making it perfectly suited to the Wildshark landscape. Freshness and charm with an underlying mineral edge - approachable yet distinctive, capturing the playful side of Wildshark while remaining grounded in place and provenance.

The Wildshark Wine Collection

Every wine in the Wildshark range is vegan, hand-picked and made in Kent. The current collection includes still, sparkling and limited-release wines, all available to buy direct from the Wildshark online shop.

Still Wines

• Bacchus (12.5% ABV, 75cl) - From £19.50, or £105 for a case of six (£17.50 per bottle). Elderflower and hedgerow blossom, nettles, citrus peel, green apple and quince. Fresh, aromatic and mineral, with vibrant acidity and an uplifting, aperitif-ready character. Delicious as an aperitif or paired with local cheese.
• Pale Rosé (11.5% ABV, 75cl) - £19.50, or £105 for a case of six. Strawberry and redcurrant layered with delicate rose petal, with a fresh and balanced finish. A pale, elegant blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
• Pinot Gris (12% ABV, 75cl) - £21.50, or £117 for a case of six (£19.50 per bottle). Bursting with lime, mango and pineapple that carries through to a clean, balanced finish. Fresh, aromatic, with vibrant fruit purity and cool-climate precision.
• Chardonnay (12% ABV, 75cl) - £20.50. Scents of cantaloupe, lemon zest and white lily lead into flavours of sherbet, yellow grapefruit and Golden Delicious apple. Elegant and structured, mineral-led.
• Pinot Noir (12% ABV, 75cl) - £24.00. Garnet in colour, showing red cherry, raspberry and dried strawberry, layered with soft earth, spicy oak and hints of something wilder. Light-bodied, expressive and elegant.

Limited-Release Wines

• Bacchus Fumé (11.5% ABV) - £21.50. A 2025 limited release. Palma violet, lavender and vanilla spice, with a subtle chalky finish. A new departure for the Wildshark white portfolio.
• Ciel (11.5% ABV) - £21.50. A 2025 limited-release English rosé. Strawberries and cream, red fruit, a hint of tannin and subtle texture.

Sparkling Wines

• Supernova Brut (12% ABV, 75cl) - £24.50. English sparkling wine with green apple and herbaceous lead, followed by charming floral notes and crunchy stone fruit. A classic, elegant English sparkler.
• Supernova Blush (12% ABV, 75cl) - £24.50. English sparkling rosé with juicy red fruits, lifted by fine bubbles and fresh acidity. Bright, energetic and food-friendly.

Bundles & Gift Boxes

• Supernova & Elders Bundle - £55.99. One bottle of Wildshark Supernova Brut paired with a bottle of Elders, a local elderflower, English rhubarb and apple aperitif from Kent. Crafted into a Hugo Spritz, the pair is light, refreshing and made for summer.
• Single Gift Box - £4.00.
• Trio Gift Box - £9.50.
• Tote Bag - £10.00.

The Wildshark Gin Collection

Wildshark gins are shaped by a deep understanding of balance, texture and flavour. Each expression is approached much like a wine: guided by seasonality, built with patience, and focused on harmony rather than dominance. Botanicals are carefully selected for how they work together, using fruit foraged from the vineyard’s own hedgerows alongside ingredients from a local farm. Two gins in the collection take direct inspiration from the vineyard itself: Wildshark Artisan Gin is made from Pinot Gris grapes, bringing freshness and a rounded mouthfeel, while Wildshark Sloe Gin uses Pinot Noir grapes, adding depth and structure to the rich fruit character.

• Artisan Gin (35% ABV) - From £33.00 (£35 for one bottle). Soft and floral, with notes of elderflower and fresh cut flowers. The first Wildshark gin, made from Pinot Gris grapes.
• Hedgerow Sloe Gin (25% ABV) - From £26.00 (£28 for one bottle). Autumnal and warming, with notes of elderberries and sloe berries. Fruity, rich and gently spiced - made with Pinot Noir grapes.
• Rhubarb & Ginger Gin (40% ABV) - From £33.00. Fresh and fruity, with notes of rhubarb and ginger. Juniper and coriander seeds provide structure.
• Raspberry Gin (40% ABV) - From £33.00. A juniper fore with an explosion of vibrant raspberry finishing with a long raspberry lift.
• Pink Gin (40% ABV) - From £33.00. Packed with red summer fruits - cherries, strawberries and raspberries - sweet and fruity.
• Blackcurrant (Mount Field) Gin (40% ABV) - From £33.00. The sixth Wildshark gin, with juniper at the heart, enriched with cardamom, lemon peel and blackcurrant for a vibrant, modern pour.

Multi-bottle savings run across the gin range: two bottles for £68.00 (or £54 for two of the Sloe), and three bottles for £99.00 (or £78 for the Sloe).

Gift Hampers

The Wildshark hampers are dressed around the vineyard’s pre-historic theme and bring together wines, artisan gins and local Kentish produce.

• The Ammonite Hamper - £85.00. A beautifully curated branded hamper, perfect for treating yourself or a loved one to a taste of the vineyard.
• The Nautilus Hamper - £110.00. A luxurious branded hamper designed for celebrations or as a thoughtful gift.
• The Plesiosaur Hamper - £140.00. An indulgent branded hamper for those who love to celebrate.
• The Megalodon Hamper - £150.00. The flagship hamper, bringing together the finest wines, artisan gin and local hand-crafted delicacies in a true celebration of flavour and craftsmanship.

The Wildshark Wine Club

For wine lovers who want Wildshark delivered to their door, the Wildshark Wine Club offers bespoke selections, complimentary tour tickets, harvest involvement and member-only perks. From £15 to join, members save up to 35% on wines and gins and receive three or four cases per year depending on tier.

• Cellar Door - 3 bottles of still wine, three times a year (May, September, December) with free delivery, plus member discounts.
• Bronze - 3 bottles, three times a year; complimentary Tour & Tasting tickets for two; 5% discount at the shop and online; harvest involvement; free tastings; first access to new releases.
• Silver - 6 bottles of still and sparkling wine, three times a year; complimentary Picnic Tour & Tasting tickets for two; 10% discount; harvest involvement; exclusive first releases; priority event invitations.
• Gold - 6 bottles of still and sparkling wine, four times a year (April, July, October and December); complimentary BBQ Tour & Tasting tickets for two; 20% discount; harvest involvement; exclusive first releases; priority invitation to events.

Vineyard Tours, Tastings & Experiences

Every Wildshark tour is led by a knowledgeable wine expert and lasts between one and one-and-a-half hours. Tours begin with arrival 15 minutes beforehand, include a guided walking tour of the vineyard with tutored tasting among the very vines the wine originates, and cover vine varieties, processes and the history of the land. Tours are outside and can be muddy, so suitable footwear and waterproofs are essential. Children and dogs are not permitted on walking tours but are welcome at the vineyard. The vineyard is not currently accessible to wheelchairs or prams because of a fairly steep incline on the tour route.

Guided Tours & Tastings

• Estate Tour - From £32.00 per person. A one-to-one-and-a-half-hour guided tour and free tasting of Wildshark wines and gin. Available April - October.
• Self-Guided Tour - £20.00 per person. A relaxed self-guided experience at your own pace with a map, suggested routes, a half bottle of Wildshark wine per person, snacks and a picnic blanket. Saturdays 1pm - 2pm. Add a cheese and charcuterie board in the tasting room for £12pp. This tour is offered in pairs of two and no booking is necessary.

Tour & Food Pairings

• Tour, Cheese & Charcuterie Board for Two - £80.00. A guided tour with tutored tasting followed by a curated cheese and charcuterie board to enjoy beside the vines or in the tasting room. Runs Wednesday - Sunday.
• Tour & Pizza for 2 - From £99.00. A guided tour and tasting followed by delicious wood-fired sourdough artisan pizzas on the grounds.
• Tour & BBQ for 2 - From £130.00. A one-to-one-and-a-half-hour guided tour followed by a seasonal BBQ cooked by the chef in the Scandi-style watercress hut. Confirmed dates for the season include Saturday 1st August, Saturday 29th August, Saturday 19th September and Saturday 24th October.
• Tour & Picnic for 2 - From £99.00. A guided tour and tasting followed by a luxury hamper of fresh local produce, served beside the lake or on the terrace among an ancient oak forest.
• Sparkling Afternoon Tea and Tour for 2 - From £99.00. A guided Kent vineyard tour and tastings followed by a sparkling afternoon tea with fresh sandwiches, cakes and a glass of sparkling wine to be enjoyed on the grounds. Available April - October.
• Pizza & Wine Flight - £29.00 per person. Available Saturdays 1pm, 3pm, 5pm and 7pm. Dine in the stunning tasting room and sip on a flight of three wines of your choosing with a wood-fired sourdough pizza.

Lakeside Sauna & Wellness

Coming in 2026, the new lakeside sauna is a 1.5-hour restorative experience designed for those looking to enjoy the benefits of hot and cold therapy in the heart of Kent.

• Sauna & Swim Experience - From £25.00 per person. Access to the authentic wood-fired sauna, wild swimming in the lake, and time to relax in the peaceful lakeside setting. Available as a walk-in experience or pre-booking, subject to availability.
• Sauna & Picnic Experience - From £50.00. The full sauna experience plus a delicious picnic to enjoy beside the lake and time on the lakeside terrace. Participation is not recommended for those who are pregnant or with heart, respiratory or other medical conditions without medical advice.

Private Experiences & Overnight Stays

• Private Lake House & Picnic Experience - From £472.00 for exclusive hire (8 - 14 guests). A private tour and tutored tasting, then onto the private lake house for luxury picnic hampers filled with local produce. An extra hour of usage is £5pp. Perfect for corporate away days, hen dos, stag dos or birthday celebrations.
• The Grape Escape, Dinner & Overnight Stay for 2 - From £265.00. A one-to-one-and-a-half-hour guided tour with tastings, a luxury picnic hamper on the grounds, then onto a local Elite Pub (The Wishful Thinker, The Potting Shed or The Dirty Habit) for a delicious dinner and overnight stay. £30 per person dinner allocation.
• The Grape Escape + Dinner, Show & Overnight Stay for 2 - From £365.00. Everything in the Grape Escape, plus two tickets to a tribute show at The Wishful Thinker with a three-course set menu, overnight stay and breakfast the next morning.

Corporate & Private Hire

Wildshark offers bespoke corporate packages in the Kent countryside.

• Private Tour & BBQ - £54.20 per person (ex VAT). One hour private guided tour and free tasting, followed by a seasonal BBQ cooked by the chef in the Scandinavian-style hut.
• Meet the Maker - £20.80 per person (ex VAT). A tutored flight of 3 wines and 3 gins in the tasting room - a great introduction to Wildshark for teams.
• Brand Ambassador Visit - A Wildshark wine expert brings four wines (three still, one sparkling) to your workplace for a tutored tasting.
• Private Tasting Room - Available for meetings, presentations, networking events and bespoke private hire.
• Hampers & Gift Boxes - Branded hampers and gift boxes for colleagues, customers and seasonal gifting.

For hen and stag dos, the vineyard offers private vineyard tours, wine tastings, afternoon teas, exclusive use of the lake house, picnic hampers and plenty of photo opportunities among the vines.

Pizza & BBQ Menus

The wood-fired kitchen at Wildshark turns out sourdough pizzas every Saturday, with gluten-free options available on all pies. The pizza menu is paired to specific Wildshark wines:

• Flame & Vine Chicken Pizza - £17.50. BBQ chicken, nduja, sweetcorn, roquito peppers, red onion, mozzarella. Pairing: Pinot Noir.
• The Love of Bacchus - £18.00. Prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, mozzarella, pecorino, hot honey, crispy shallots. Pairing: Bacchus Fumé.
• Golden Goat of the Vines - £16.50 (v). Goat’s cheese, crème fraîche, red pesto, spinach, hot honey, confit garlic oil, rocket. Pairing: Chardonnay.
• Margherita - £13.50 (v, vegan option). Mozzarella, plum tomato sauce, basil. Pairing: Bacchus.
• Quattro Stagioni - £16.50. Kentish ham, artichokes, mushrooms, olives, mozzarella, plum tomato sauce, basil. Pairing: Pinot Gris.
• Hawaiian - £15.00. Kentish ham, pineapple, mozzarella, basil. Pairing: Ciel.
• Pepperoni - £16.00. Pepperoni, mozzarella, plum tomato sauce, basil. Pairing: Bacchus Fumé.
• Calzone - £17.25. Pepperoni, sausage, mushroom, onion, mozzarella, basil. Pairing: Pinot Noir.

There are also flatbreads (Brie, truffle and hot honey; confit garlic and rosemary) and a charcuterie selection at £12.00. A 10% discretionary service charge is added to your bill.

The BBQ menu includes spiced chicken skewers (with halloumi or prawn veggie/fish option), cider & honey glazed pork belly carved to order, and sides such as roasted new potato with smoked butter, fennel & cabbage slaw, heritage tomato panzanella and green leaf salad. Catch of the day en papillote, chimichurri, and cakes or strawberry meringue for dessert.

What’s On: The Wildshark Events Calendar

The Wildshark What’s On calendar runs throughout the year with a mix of food, music, comedy and seasonal celebrations.

Recurring Weekly

• Pizza Saturdays - Every Saturday, 1pm - 7pm. Fresh wood-fired artisan sourdough pizzas at the vineyard, the perfect pairing with Wildshark wines.

August 2026

• Largo at Wildshark Vineyard - Sunday 16th August, 3pm - 5pm.
• Pamper & Fizz at The Wishful Thinker - Tuesday 25th August, 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Tickets £15.00.
• Summer BBQ at Wildshark Vineyard - Saturday 29th August, from 11am. £65pp.
• Wildshark Summer Wine Festival - Sunday 30th August, 12pm - 6pm. £49.50pp. Tasting card, G&T, Argentinian Asado, live music from Road to Jackson and Matt Gill, plus wine and gin to buy. Dogs welcome on leads.
• K-Bop Comes to The Wishful Thinker - Monday 31st August, 11am - 12pm. £15 per child.

September 2026

• Live Music with Fit2Funk - Sunday 6th September.
• Glow in the Dark Sip ’N’ Paint at The Cow Shed - Wednesday 9th September. £25.00.
• Ibiza Classics Bottomless Brunch at The Wishful Thinker - Tickets £39.50 - £49.50.
• Summer BBQ at Wildshark Vineyard - Saturday 19th September, from 11am. £65pp.
• Wildshark Harvest Festival - Saturday 26th September. £49.50.
• Comedy Night at The Pheasant Plucker - Saturday 26th September, 8pm - 10pm. £10 - £15.

October 2026

• Comedy Night at The Poacher & Partridge - Thursday 1st October, 8pm - 10pm. £10 - £15.
• Comedy Night at The Wishful Thinker - Thursday 8th October, 8pm - 10pm. £10 - £15.
• The Traitors Immersive Experience at The Pheasant Plucker - Saturday 10th October. £35.00.
• The Hunted - Murder Mystery at The Wishful Thinker - £50.00.
• Pizza & Paint at The Poacher & Partridge - £35.00.
• Comedy Night at The Potting Shed - Thursday 15th October, 8pm - 10pm. £15.00.
• Comedy Night at Junipers - Thursday 22nd October, 8pm - 10pm. £10 - £15.
• Harvest BBQ at Wildshark Vineyard - Saturday 24th October, from 11am. £65pp.
• Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at The Poacher & Partridge - Saturday 24th October. £39.00.
• Comedy Night at The Cow Shed - Thursday 29th October, 8pm - 10pm. £15.00.

November & December 2026

• Comedy Night at The Potting Shed - Thursday 12th November, 8pm - 10pm. £15.00.
• Sip ’N’ Bauble Paint at The Poacher & Partridge - £40.00.
• Christmas Craft Fair - Sunday 29th November, 10am - 3pm.
• Sip ’N’ Bauble Paint at Wildshark - £50.00.
• Wildshark Christmas Party - Saturday 19th December, 12pm - 6pm. £10.00 per person.

Elite Pubs Gift Vouchers

Wildshark sits within the Elite Pubs group, and a wide range of cross-brand vouchers are redeemable at 14 to 16 pubs across Kent and East Sussex. All vouchers are valid for 12 months unless stated otherwise and can be purchased as digital or luxury gift vouchers.

• Monetary Voucher - From £5. Flexible, redeemable against wine, fizz, meals or experiences at any Elite Pub or Wildshark Vineyard.
• Afternoon Tea - £55.00 per person.
• Breakfast of Champs - £30.00. Redeemable against any food and drink on the breakfast menu.
• Lunch for 2 - £35.00.
• Dinner for 2 - £50.00.
• Sunday Roast for 2 - £50.00.
• Sleepover Club - £100.00. A contribution towards a bedroom stay at The Potting Shed, The Farm House, The Wishful Thinker, The Vineyard or The Dirty Habit.
• Tribute Night for 2 - £110.00. Two tribute night tickets at The Wishful Thinker, with three-course set menu and a DJ.
• Tribute Night for 2 + Overnight Stay - £275.00. Adds a bedroom stay and breakfast the next morning.
• Ultimate Shack Experience - £35.00. 2.5 hours of exclusive Adventure Shack hire with heaters, music and décor, plus a complimentary bottle of Supernova Brut. Redeemable at 9 locations.

Sustainability & Biodiversity

Sustainability is at the heart of Wildshark. Companion planting of wildflowers in every other row of vines encourages the right beneficial insects, while native tree planting (over 8,000 since 2023), owl boxes and the ongoing re-wilding of the estate build a resilient habitat for birds and other wildlife. The team holds Sustainable Wines of Great Britain accreditation, and the vineyard has been awarded the Visit England Hidden Gem accolade as well as Visit England accreditation overall. The Pinot Gris also took silver at the WineGB Awards in 2025.

Meet the Team

A close-knit viticulture team led by Vineyard Manager Adam and Assistant Vineyard Manager Ben looks after the vines year-round. Tour Guide Alex brings the wines to life for visitors, while vineyard assistants Lauren, Sacha and Steve keep the estate running. The team’s focus on innovation - new vines, a new winery, more trees, more wildflowers and a steady stream of new experiences - keeps Wildshark moving forward.

Plan Your Visit

Wildshark Vineyard is in Greenway Forstal, Harrietsham, Maidstone ME17 1QA - about one hour from London by car, with Harrietsham train station a six-minute drive (or roughly 20-minute walk) away. Complimentary parking is available on site, though there are no coach parking facilities. The vineyard is cashless.

The shop is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am - 6pm, and the team is available by phone on 01732 920 430 (Mon - Fri 9am - 7:30pm, Sat 10am - 6pm) or by email at hello@wildsharkvineyard.co.uk. The winery is active on Instagram at @wildsharkvineyard and on Facebook, and can be found via what3words ///lingering.entitle.herring. Independent reviews are on TripAdvisor. Free delivery on online wine and gin orders is available over £90.