Terlingham Vineyard: why this corner of the Kent North Downs makes exceptional wine

Terlingham Vineyard occupies one of the most distinctive positions in the Kent wine landscape: high on the North Downs above Folkestone, facing south and east, with the English Channel visible on the horizon and France clearly in view on a good day. That location is no happy coincidence. It is fundamental to what makes Terlingham wine taste the way it does - and why this small, boutique winery is one of the most interesting producers in the county.

In winemaking, terroir is the word for everything the land gives the vine: the soil, the climate, the aspect, the altitude, the surroundings. It is why two wines made from the same grape variety can taste completely different depending on where they were grown. At Terlingham, the terroir is defined by several distinct factors. The chalk-rich soil of the North Downs provides excellent drainage and a minerality that carries through into the wine. The elevation and south-easterly aspect maximise sun exposure throughout the growing season. And the proximity to the English Channel brings a maritime influence that moderates temperatures, extends the ripening window, and builds the acidity and freshness that define the best English wines.

Terlingham is thought to be one of the most easterly commercial vineyards in England - a position that puts it at the frontier of a rapidly growing Kent wine scene. That scene is attracting serious international attention. French Champagne houses have recognised in the soils and climate of this part of England many of the same qualities that make their own wines exceptional and are now investing and producing here. It is a remarkable endorsement of what Kent's winemakers have long known.

For David and his team, the terroir is not an abstraction. It is the reason every decision in the vineyard matters - from the way the soil is managed to the timing of the harvest. Every glass of Terlingham wine carries something of this landscape in it. Come and see the view for yourself and taste what it produces.

Terlingham Vineyard is located above Folkestone in the Kent North Downs. Tours include a walk through the vineyard with views across the English Channel to France. Tastings from £40 per person. Book at terlingham-vineyard.co.uk.