Fighting to keep the fizz in county’s booming wine industry

surge in alcohol sales because pubs and bars have closed and we hope to benefit from that,” said Mr Simpson.

“We are now looking to do more business with shops like Waitrose and wine specialists Majestic, and are also offering free home delivery.

“Viticulture is an agricultural pursuit and the vines continue to grow and need to be cared for. But we are fortunate to have such a dedicated and flexible team and will keep on carrying on.

“Clearly the health and wellbeing of our staff is paramount and one good thing is that because our people are largely working outside in our vineyards, it’s easier to keep the necessary social separation.”

The Simpsons founded a seven-strong group of Kent’s major vineyards called The Wine Garden of England to help promote a tourism wine trail of the county.

Mr Simpson says the group is now meeting online regularly to focus on the latest issue, discuss the best way forward during the crisis and share ideas and resources.

“It’s like group therapy because you realise you’re not alone in this and we all face similar issues,” he said.

“But we will get through it and be ready for the economic bounce when things get back to normal.”

The best-known and biggest

English winemaker is Chapel Down at Tenterden, which also produces its own vodka and gins, as well as the Curious Brewery beer brand.

It’s shop and restaurant are now closed and tours cancelled, which has hit the business at a usually busy time.

Managing director Mark Harvey says falling sales to the hospitality trade have caused a 35% slump in income on top of the loss of revenue from having to cancel vineyard tours and close its own shops, bar and restaurant.

But he reports that a surge in sales through supermarkets is helping to compensate.

“We would normally be very busy at this time of year and the situation has led to us having to furlough some staff in the relevant areas,” he said.

“But there has been a dramatic increase in sales through supermarkets and online as customers continue to enjoy our wines at home.

“Chapel Down is a well-established brand and we hope that it will lead to some new customers perhaps trying English wine for the first time.

“We are conserving cash where we can and will continue to cultivate our vineyards. It is a tough time, but we will ride it out.”