We don’t need to tell you that it’s been a time of change and challenges over recent months.
Summer at Biddenden is usually our busiest time of year when we welcome visitors for tours, tastings and of course to stock up on all your Biddenden favourites. Having closed the doors to the shop (and vineyard gates) in March, it has been great to be open again at the shop since June, albeit with reduced opening days and with one way systems in place, as we have all now come to expect when out & about.
Behind the scenes, work continues, and Tom, Will & the team have been working hard both out in the vineyards and on the apple press. We’ve also ensured we have been able to continue to deliver Biddenden wines, ciders & juices to customers as well as outlets such as farm shops, delis, pubs & restaurants throughout the county. As a family business, it’s been all hands to deck and it’s been a pleasure to have been able to catch up with customers when out delivering, and understanding first-hand the challenges being faced and the ways in which Biddenden can help.
Out in the vineyards, harvest is fast approaching and the prolonged hot weather has meant that the grapes have come on well and we are hopeful for another top quality harvest. Veraison in the red grapes – when they turn from green to red – has started and we plan to begin harvesting Ortega within the next week.
Apple harvest has also now started, and we have begun pressing new season apples for fellow local businesses we make apple juice & cider for and will start pressing for our own ciders & juices over the coming weeks too.
In the shop, we have some exciting new releases from the 2018 harvest, including a couple of new wines made using Ortega, our signature variety, but in a style which you will not have seen from Biddenden before. More news on this very soon.
A big thank you to all who have supported us over the recent months. It is much appreciated and I hope that we will be able to welcome you again soon at the vineyard. In the meantime, don’t forget our shop is open Wednesday – Saturday for bottle sales and we’re also continuing to offer nationwide home delivery via our online shop. You will also find Biddenden in independent farm shops, delis, pubs, restaurants and other outlets across the county & beyond – please do keep supporting these amazing businesses and remember to Help Kent, Buy Local!
– Julian
