This year is proving an excellent one for Kent wine.

Yields are up by 15 per cent on 2007 as the summer rain combined with late September sun has been great for the grapes.

“The weather has been fabulous and now we have every available picker out,” said Tom Jinks from Biddenden Vineyards.

For just over a week up to 40 people a day have been gathering the Ortega grapes at Biddenden Vineyards.

The Ortega, a German variety which constitutes about 40 per cent of the vineyard, is the first grape of the season to ripen and will be followed in about a month’s time by another variety.

By June or July 2009, bottles of the “very fruity off-dry white wine” will be released and ready to drink.

“We’ve been pressing the grapes immediately and so far the quality is looking very good,” said Mr Jinks.

The vineyard has been growing the grape for several years - and winemakers there are very proud of the tables where it has been served.

Mr Jinks said: “We supplied it to Brussels when it had the British presidency of the EU a couple of years ago and many famous people, including members of the British royal family, drank it.”