Winning
The
View
A modern venture with sustainable values at its core, Yotes Court produces innovative still and sparkling wines that can be enjoyed in a beautiful, rural setting. Yotes Court Vineyard is home to one of the most spectacular views in Kent.
Yotes Court Vineyard is nestled between Tonbridge and Maidstone, only 30 miles from London. It was established in 2016 by well known national hunt racehorse owner, Susannah Ricci.
Seeking out the best in the industry she transformed a tired fruit farm and orchard into a magnificent 30 hectare vineyard with a Tasting Room overlooking almost the entire Estate.
About us
Yotes Court is an English Heritage Grade 1 Listed manor house on the outskirts of Mereworth village, Kent. It was purchased by Susannah Ricci in 2008. The house was renovated and the 20 acre garden completely re-landscaped by Tom Stuart-Smith, a superstar in the horticulture & garden design world. In need of another project, Susannah bought the fruit farm next door and, on the advice of Stephen Skelton MW, a superstar in the Viticulture world, started planting vines. He has since stated that the vineyard at Yotes Court is the best site he has helped plant in his career.
VIEW OUR GALLERY
Wine names like On the Nod, Hands and Heels, and Best Turned Out offer a witty twist on tradition, while the colourful, spot-covered labels are instantly recognisable, bringing a splash of fun and personality to every bottle.
Whether you're a seasoned taster or simply curious, the atmosphere at Yotes Court is warm, down-to-earth, and quietly confident. Visitors are encouraged to relax, explore, and enjoy seriously good wine in a setting that feels stylish yet welcoming, premium, without ever being pretentious.
All wines are made from estate-grown grapes, with a focus on single varietal, single vintage expressions that showcase the site’s distinctive soil, slope, and climate. No shortcuts, just expressive, carefully crafted English wines.
Yotes Court wines have received recognition on the national and international stage winning Wine GB Best Newcomer Award in 2021 and a Decanter Award for our innovative Traditional Method Early Release Sparkling Pinot Gris.
In 2016 Tony Purdie was recruited to oversee the planting of the first 97,000 vines - the 3 classic varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. He was formerly Regional Vineyard Manager at Babich Wines in New Zealand with 25 harvests under his belt and looking for a fresh challenge. The common thread between New Zealand and English viticulture is that to make it successful, you must step out of traditional comfort zones and be pioneering in your approach. So, in 2018 and 2019, Susannah and Tony decided to expand the vineyard with a focus on creating quality English still wines, planting a further 50,000 vines - Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Bacchus.
Yotes Court is committed to developing strong, healthy vines and producing top quality fruit using sustainable practices. Tony was heavily involved in helping WineGB to establish the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain Scheme of which Yotes Court is a founder member. As part of our commitment to sustainability and innovation we collaborated with NIAB in 2018 and planted 297 vines of a new red wine grape variety, Divico. It is naturally disease resistant so requires minimal intervention during the growing season and produces a medium to full bodied red wine.
MAGNIFICENT 30 HECTARE VINEYARD
TASTING ROOM WITH A STUNNING VIEW
UNFUSSY, INCLUSIVE & FUN
SUSTAINABLE WINES
Visit
Drop in
For a relaxed wine experience, Yotes Court’s Cellar Door is open from March to October, Wednesday to Sunday. Guests can unwind in the rustic Wine Barn or sip on the Paddock Lawn, soaking up panoramic views of the surrounding vines and countryside.
Wines are available by the glass, bottle, or as part of a tasting flight, with optional cheese and charcuterie boards made from locally sourced ingredients. It’s dog-friendly, too - no booking required, though tables can be reserved online for added peace of mind.
Book an Experience
Those wanting to dive a little deeper will love the range of bookable vineyard experiences on offer. From guided tours and tastings to BYO picnics among the vines, there’s something here for every wine lover available Wednesday to Sunday, March through October.
There’s also a rolling calendar of engaging events throughout the year. Think Garden Tours of the 20-acre landscape designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, the ever-popular Annual Harvest Experience, a spirited General Knowledge Quiz with Unlimited Fizz, and indulgent Wine & Cheese Pairings. Seasonal tastings and new surprises are added regularly, and the mailing list gets first dibs when tickets go live.
For something more personal, private hire is available. Perfect for corporate groups, celebrations, or bespoke wine-soaked experiences in the heart of the Kent countryside.
Meet the owner
SUSANNAH RICCI
get in touch
We would love to hear from you and help you with planning your experience at the Wine Garden of England. Drop us an email and one of our team will get back to you.
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