Tiny English village home to one of the world’s best vineyards and award-winning pub
A VILLAGE in Kent is the only place in the UK to have featured in the world’s best vineyard list.
Gusbourne, in Appledore near Ashford, made the top 50 in this year’s World’s Best Vineyards 2024 list.
Having opened in 2004, the winery even lets tourists explore in the summer with vineyard tours and picnics.
The wards said: “Gusbourne focuses on growing the highest quality Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes across their 148 acres in Appledore and 75 acres adjoining the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex.”
Owner Jonathon White told local media it was an “absolute honour,” especially having only launched 20 years ago.
He added: “While England has historically been an underdog on the international wine stage, it is a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector.”
Appledore is also in the Garden of England, the name given to the Kent region.
Once a port on the estuary of the River Rother, Appledore was even where the poem “The Knight Whose Armour Didn’t Squeak” by A A Milne was set.
While the village is small, its not just the vineyard it is known for.
It is home to the award-winning Black Lion pub, which won a Tripadvisor award last year.
Having reopened last year after a refurbishment, people raved about the roast dinners and local booze on offer
One person wrote: “This small public house in Appledore offers the same quality and service as you would expect to find in a fine dining restaurant in London.”
Otherwise the village is also home to the Old Forge Antique Shop, selling vintage furniture and homegoods.
And the cafe Miss Mollett’s High Class Tea Room has been raved about as well, which has been called a ‘charming gem’ with traditional decor inside.
Just outside the village it has it’s own train station which connects to both Hastings and Ashford, with the latter having high speed services to London.
Appledore isn’t the only Kent village with a boozy history.
What it is like exploring the wine of Kent
“Just 40 minutes from London St Pancras by train, Ashford is home to more than 50 vineyards, some of which have beaten their European rivals to scoop prestigious awards.
“One of the newest to open is Warehorne, a family-run business which launched its first wine last year and is one of the few in the UK to be growing red wine.
“There is also Wayfarer, which started as a retirement project by Jeff Ashford in 2016 and has since developed a deliciously light Chardonnay.
“But the big dog of UK wine is Chapel Down, whose Kit’s Coty Coeur De Cuvee Extra Brut 2016 was given the gold medal in the established Decanter World Wine Awards this year.
“If you fancy a royal tipple , try its rose too – it was used at Kate and William’s royal wedding in 2011.”
Biddenden Vineyards, in the town of Biddenden is Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard, dating back to 1969.
Otherwise there is also Alfriston, home to the Rathfinny Wine Estate and Vineyard, which does tours and tastings year-round.
Otherwise there is also the famous Chapel Down vineyard – who served the wine at Prince William and Kate Middleton‘s wedding – along with Balfour Winery in Staplehurst, which has won infinite amounts of awards over the years.
The Sun even explored the ‘golden triangle of vineyards’ in the UK – here’s what its like.