This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, you will set off for
the Hush Heath Estate near Tonbridge, which has
been producing award-winning wines since 2002, with their flagship
Balfour Brut Rosé being the first English sparkling wine to be
served in British Airways First Class and the official English wine
of the 2012 London Olympics. Our guided tour of the vineyard is
followed by a tasting of six wines, ciders or beers from the
comfort of The View tasting room.
After lunch (not included) in a nearby pub, we continue to the
magnificently manicured gardens of Sissinghurst.
This famous garden was created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold
Nicolson from 1930 onwards and became the most admired English
Garden of its time. Sissinghurst is a large connoisseurs' garden
consisting of a series of small romantic areas enclosed by the
surviving parts of an Elizabethan mansion. It is surely as close to
gardening perfection as you can get, and it continues to be one of
the most-copied flower gardens in the world.
Later in the afternoon you move on to the Chapel
Down vineyard for a behind-the-scenes guided tour,
followed by a tutored tasting of their award-winning still and
sparkling wines. You then make your way to the adjacent
Swan Wine Kitchen and enjoy a three-course dinner
with wine.
A coach will be there to return you to the hotel after
dinner.
