A Kent vineyard is seeing demand for its wines really take off – literally.

Virgin Atlantc Airline has announced it will be serving Bacchus wine from the Yotes Court Vineyard at West Peckham to passengers in its Upper Class Cabins on long-haul fights throughout June.

It is believed to be the first time an English wine has been served on a 33,000 ft long-haul flight.

English Wine Week runs from June 17 to June 25, but Virgin Atlantic are said to have chosen the Yotes Court 2021 On The Nod vintage because its a personal favourite of Shiada Drysdale, the airlines inflight food and beverage manager.

Susannah Ricci is the owner of Yotes Court. She said: “It’s a real thrill to have had our Bacchus chosen by Virgin Atlantic to celebrate English Wine Week this year.

“Their dedication to adopting sustainable practices where possible, without compromising on quality, aligns very much to our own.

“It’s such a great opportunity to introduce passengers to this amazing grape variety and I hope they thoroughly enjoy it.”

Not far away at Birling, the 1800-acre Birling Estate, best known for its timber production and as a wedding venue, is also diversifying into wine.

Owner Guy Nevill has planted 27,000 vines already and aims to cover 40 acres with 50,000 vines over the next two years in a deal to supply grapes to the Westwell Wine Estate winery at Charing near Ashford.

The Birling vines will eventally enable Westwell to double its production of still and sparkling wines and give Birling Estates the chance to launch its own brand.

Four varieties are set to be planted at Birling: Burgundian and Champagne clones of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Ortega.

Mr Nevill said: “We can’t wait to produce some fantastic wines that are the ultimate expression of our beautiful corner of Kent.”

The family-owned estate on the south-facing slope of the North Downs has already diversified with an off-grid woodland campsite and an outdoor events business.

Mr Nevill said: “Our land has been calling out for vines for some time and so it is very exciting to be planting up together.

“Westwell’s approach to viticulture and winemaking is very aligned with the direction of the estate. “

Westwell’s MD Adrian Pike said: “The plot at Birling is incredibly similar to our site near Charing - with the same bedrock, soil type, and aspect.

“The Pilgrims Way even runs across the top of the site just as it does at Westwell.”

“We’ve found a very active and interested partner in Guy Nevill whose family have been custodians of the Birling Estate for over 500 years. We can’t wait to begin this exciting new chapter.”