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A winemaker - where scenes from the latest series of Netflix hit Bridgerton were filmed - has unveiled a host of expansion plans - including a winery due to open in time for this year’s grape harvest.
The Westerham-based Squerryes vineyard has also appointed an experienced new winemaker who will join the team next month.
The family-owned firm says the new winery will open around September or October. It will mark the first time wine production has taken place at the site. Meanwhile, it has also created a new tasting bar for visitors.
Squerryes owner, Henry Warde, said: “We are looking forward to producing our first vintage in the new winery. We produce around 75-85,000 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.”
Meanwhile, Tom Jones has been named its new winemaker.
Born in New Zealand, he has 13 years of experience in the wine industry providing expertise at vineyards around the world. No stranger to the county, he was previously winemaker at Gusbourne in Appledore.
The new recruit explains: “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.”