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It has provided the official toast to the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, become the biggest vineyard in England and even has a hand in making beer too.
Now Tenterden-based Chapel Down has created what it believes is the first ever gin made from pinot noir grapes.
The Chapel Down Pinot Noir Gin is the third product to come from its range of premium spirits and is produced with distilled pinot noir grape skins from the Chapel Down harvest, which is then blended with English wheat spirit.
Selfridges is stocking it and the release comes as the company opens the Gin Works overlooking Granary Square in Kings Cross.
Chapel Down head winemaker, Josh Donaghay-Spire, used his expertise to create the unique gin. "Not only have we made use of the skins, we’ve added additional complexity by matching the botanicals with the characteristics of the pinot noir grape," he said.
"This means the gin is infused with juniper, coriander, dried red berries, rose buds, citrus fruits, rosehip, angelica and grains of paradise, all of which brilliantly reflect pinot noir.
"The result is an aromatic pink gin with delicate aromas of red berries which perfectly balance the juniper led palate and refreshing citrus finish. This is our best yet."
The winemaker, which will have 1,000 acres under vine once it plants its recently leased land, already has Chapel Down Bacchus Gin 2016 and Chapel Down Chardonnay Vodka 2016, all three of which are 41.2% ABV.
Managing director Mark Harvey said: "Our pinot noir gin has all the attributes to become a superstar within our range. Stunning to look at, the pink frosted bottle comes in the same D&AD design awarded form as the Bacchus Gin and Chardonnay Vodka.
"At Chapel Down we strongly believe there is no point in just being the best. You have to be the only people who can do what you do."
The company is due to open its £1.3m Curious Brewery in Ashford next month.
Chapel Down Pinot Noir Gin costs £35 for 70ml. If you can’t get to Selfridges, get it from chapeldown.com
