New Kent winery officially opened by Duchess of Edinburgh

Domaine Evremond has been founded in 2015 as a partnership between Champagne Taittinger and their UK agency partner, Hatch Mansfield. 

Launched at Westminster Abbey by co-founders Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger and Patrick McGrath MW, Domaine Evremond marked the first time that a Champagne house had invested in the United Kingdom with the ambition of producing a top quality sparkling wine, the co-founders said. 

Seven years on from the estate’s first planting, the winery officially opened at the end of September, ahead of the October 2024 harvest.  

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO opens the Domaine Evremond winery in Kent: https://t.co/wjOH5GgtYL pic.twitter.com/vAUPhr0TwX

— Hatch Mansfield (@HatchMansfield) September 27, 2024

Passionate about British agriculture

Domaine Evremond said: “Her Royal Highness is passionate about British agriculture and the contribution that farmers and growers make to our national life.  

“She is dedicated to connecting the next generation with the countryside and advocating for greater opportunities for young people to forge a career in the British food industry.” 

The Duchess joined the Domaine Evremond team, members of the Taittinger family and local dignitaries.

Right time and place

In 2015, Domaine Evremond purchased 69 hectares of land at Stone Stile Farm, near Chilham, close to Canterbury and Faversham with the aim of planting Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the same vines as in Champagne, and on similar soils.

The site, with its south facing slopes, is at a maximum height of 80m above sea level and the soil profile is considered ideal. Kent is already proven as an excellent area to grow these key grape varieties, the owners said.

Since 2015, Domaine Evremond has purchased an additional 40 hectares of land.

A spokesperson for Domaine Evremond added: “With an annual average temperature of 15 degrees (as recorded by the Met office, Kent), it has led to some exciting projects in the English wine world over the last few decades.

“For Domaine Evremond, the chalky soil and exceptional, south-facing exposure will allow the grapes to mature, blossom and prosper. Kent is home to an array of exciting and diverse wine producers, not only in England but in all of Europe.

“Champagne Taittinger have been very excited about the potential of English Sparkling Wine for several years, and were keen to find the right time and place to realise the dream.

“They strongly believe they can make a high-quality premium sparkling wine in Kent – and that the combination of soil, climate, topography and time are perfect to achieve this.”

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