Whether you love a crisp white with your meal, a fruity rosé in the sun or a warm red to finish off the night, English Wine Week is the perfect chance to sample your favourite vino.

The celebration of English wine takes place from Saturday, June 17 to Sunday, June 25 and will see nationwide vineyards jump at the chance to show off their best bottles - and that includes some of Kent’s top wine producers.

“English Wine Week seems to get bigger and bigger every year, and really reflects the growing popularity of our home-grown wines,” says Adam Williams from Balfour Winery in Staplehurst. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase what makes England arguably the world’s most exciting wine country.”

If you want to take part in English Wine Week, we’ve got four Kent vineyards that are putting on something special for the occasion…

BALFOUR WINERY, Staplehurst

If you feel like splashing out, Balfour is pulling out all the stops for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience to kick off English Wine Week.

For a cool £649, you can join Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley for a round trip aboard the beautifully restored British Pullman train. During your journey from London Victoria, you will be treated to a talk and Q&A with the actress, as well as a champagne reception, luxurious meals and a tour of Balfour’s vineyard.

If that’s a little out of your budget, the producer will be closing English Wine Week with a more affordable day out.

You can take a relaxing yoga class in the magnificent countryside setting and enjoy a guided nature walk through the vineyards, as well as a tutored tasting masterclass with three Balfour wines, all included in your £55 ticket.

Details: The train journey with Joanna Lumley takes place on Sunday, June 18 and the yoga class takes place on Sunday, June 25. You can book tickets to both experiences online here.

BIDDENDEN VINEYARD, Ashford

One of the most well-known vineyards in the county, Biddenden is a must-visit for wine lovers.

There are a number of tours taking place throughout the week, from private guided tours led by Biddenden’s experts to self-guided tours that allow you to stroll through the vineyard at your own leisure.

You can also explore the picturesque destination with some of the winemakers behind the bottles and, of course, sample some of the Biddenden’s award-winning sparkling English wines and Kentish fruit juices.

Details: Tours take place daily at Biddenden Vineyard in Biddenden, near Ashford. You can book tour tickets online here.

CHAPEL DOWN, Tenterden

The wine from Chapel Down - which comedian Judi Love recently shouted out as one of her favourite drinks during an episode of the Off Menu podcast - has impressed many a wine drinker over the years.

From being served at the 2011 royal wedding to winning numerous accolades, it’s no wonder that this top-rated Tenterden producer is expecting a flock of visitors during English Wine Week.

You can sample their best-selling Brut and summery rosé, among lots of other delicious wines, and take a guided tour of the vineyards with a tutored tasting.

There’s also the chance to book something special for English Wine Week, with the Deluxe Gift Experience (from £130 per person), which includes a three-course lunch, a glass of sparkling wine and a gift to take home, and the Cheese and Wine Experience (from £65 per person), where you can pair your wines with local cheeses and artisanal crackers.

Details: Tours take place daily at Chapel Down in Tenterden. You can book tour tickets online here.

SQUERRYES, Westerham

If you want to bag yourself some great bottles of English wine, this week is the perfect time to find a bargain or two.

Squerryes will have special offers on some of their best wines, including discounts on cases of six English still wines and magnums, and a chance to try a flight of three wines not normally available by the glass, selected by Master of Wine Laura Evans, in the Winery Restaurant.

“There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in the English wine scene, with the quality and selection of wines available now better than ever, to the point where they are able to hold their own alongside the rest of the world,” says Laura.

“Highly skilled and trained viticulturalists and winemakers have brought expertise in the vineyard and the winery on a scale not seen before, and experimentation with different grapes and winemaking methods is yielding some wonderful results, helped by a number of good summers.”

The Cellar Door shop and Estate Deli will also be open on select dates for visitors to stop by the tasting tables and sample even more tipples, as well as tuck into a tasty charcuterie board or cheese platter.

You can also take a tour of the vineyard and get your hands on the 2019 Squerryes vintage, which is being released especially for English Wine Week.

Details: Tours take place daily at Squerryes in Westerham, near Sevenoaks. Wine discounts are available from Saturday, June 17 to Sunday, June 25. You can book tours online here.

If you’re looking for some wine recommendations for the week, three top Kentish bottles have been picked out as some of the favourites from the Garden of England…

For fans of rosé, the Gusbourne English Rosé 2022 from Appledore, near Ashford, is a new release and is perfect for the summer, with notes of strawberry, citrus fruits and dried flowers.

For red wine drinkers, Westwell Double Pinot 2022 from Charing is a summery red that can be enjoyed lightly chilled. It’s got a savoury touch, which hides behind redcurrant and raspberry flavours.

Finally, if you fancy a glass of fizz, the Balfour Brut Rosé 2018 is a bumper vintage following on from a summer heatwave. It’s an aromatic drink with hints of herbs, cranberry and acidity - and, of course, lots of bubbles.