The Great British Vineyards Guide

Set in lush East Kent countryside, on the edge of the rolling North Downs, Heppington is a new English wine vineyard, steeped in heritage. It is situated on the family estate, Lower Heppington, just outside of Canterbury, with sweeping views down to the city and Canterbury Cathedral. A passion project of Henry Blaxland and his wife Gill, they seized the opportunity to establish the vineyard when a long lease for the growth of blackcurrants on their land came to an end. After a report praising the land’s ‘exceptional’ geological composition for wine growing, the wheels were set in motion and the first vines were planted in May 2016. The first harvest in 2018 exceeded expectations and is currently under production for sparkling wine by one of the U.K.’s top sparkling wine makers and will be ready for release in 2021. A still Pinot Gris from the 2019 harvest will be released in 2020.