As Squerryes continues to win awards for its sparkling wines, including a Silver and Gold in this year’s International Wine Challenge Awards and 93 points for two of their wines in the Decanter awards in 2024, the family-owned vineyard in Westerham goes from strength to strength. Exciting expansion plans are announced, including the appointment of experienced and passionate winemaker Tom Jones, who will be joining the team at Squerryes.
Born in New Zealand, Tom has gained 13 years of experience in the wine industry providing expertise at vineyards around the world. He will be taking up his new role at Squerryes having previously been Winemaker at the Gusbourne Wine Estate.
Tom said: “From the first time I visited, I could tell Squerryes was a business filled with positive, valued, ambitious people and I couldn’t help but want to be a part of its journey. My aim is to ensure Squerryes consistently produce wines that best reflect its terroir, and to ensure the vineyard can continue to develop its wines going forward. Not to step away from the successes achieved in the past, but to simply build on them for the future.”
As part of the vineyard’s expansion, a winery has also been built on the Estate this year and will be open in time for this year’s grape harvest. The 2024 vintage is expected to be the first to be released from the winery in 2028. On the main visitor site, a new Tasting Bar has also been created to provide additional space for visitors to enjoy Squerryes’ wine and small plates.
Henry Warde said: “We are looking forward to producing our first vintage in the new winery and also working with Tom as our business grows. We produce around 75-85k bottles of sparkling wine each year and we expect this to increase with the new winery which will help meet the ever-growing demand. As the vineyard enters a new exciting chapter in its expansion, this is the first time wine production has taken place on the Estate and marks a significant milestone for us.”
The new Tasting Bar is located downstairs from the restaurant, with countryside views across the summer terrace to the Rosé vineyard. Visitors are invited to spend a few hours throughout the day or evening enjoying Squerryes, with small plates from the two AA Rosette award-winning kitchen. Diners in the restaurant are welcome to book for an aperitif. The bar opens on Friday 20 September.
Wherever you decide to relax at Squerryes, there are plenty of choices of food and drink, including à la carte dining, small plates, pastries, sandwiches, indulgent desserts, cocktails and a choice of sparkling and still wines. Whilst diners enjoy the last few weeks of lunch on the terrace, dining will move back indoors from mid-September.
As well as the award-winning Winery Restaurant, the Vineyard Café serves drinks, snacks and light lunches, plus the Estate Deli offers fresh local produce from the best of Kent’s artisan makers. Choose from freshly baked sourdoughs and pastries from Blomst Bakery, roasted coffee and blended teas from Corban Coffee of Sevenoaks, locally smoked charcuterie and meats from the Weald Smokery in Flimwell and handmade sweet and savoury treats from Sheepcote Kitchen. Squerryes also sell their own produce from the Estate, including meats, honey and seasonal produce. The Deli has an extensive selection of Neal’s Yard Cheese, chosen by a knowledgeable team who strive to provide the best and most interesting cheese counter in the area, regularly updated with new regional varieties. Call in and talk to the knowledgeable team plus taste a few varieties before making your selection.
The Cellar Door is the place to discover the best of UK and International wine. As well as stocking the Squerryes range of vintage sparkling wines, shelves are packed with a hand-selected assortment of UK and International wines of distinction. Squerryes Wine Ambassadors are on hand to help choose the perfect wine.
Tours and Tastings are available to book on selected days and provide the perfect setting to hear all about the history and wines associated with Squerryes. Enjoy a stroll out to the vines before tasting three signature varieties of wine in a tutored session. Tours are £32 per person. September and October are the best months to visit to see the grapes on the vines and hear how this year’s harvest is shaping up.
Membership at Squerryes offers a host of benefits including discounts and seasonal offers. Members are required to purchase 12 bottles of Squerryes within 12 months and in return receive exclusive invitations to several signature events across the Estate. Forthcoming events include a Meet the Winemaker Dinner, with new Winemaker, Tom Jones, and Estate Owner, Henry Warde, on 25 September 2024, the Harvest Picking Party in October and the Opera Gala Evening at Squerryes Court on 9 November 2024.
