A wine festival heads to Rochester Cathedral for the second time in 1,000 years

There’s the latest on a new wine festival, Kentish food and drink trails and some wine to bring some winter sunshine.

Athousand years ago, Kent’s first wine producer was honoured with an annual wine festival by his fellow monks after his death. Gundulf was the Bishop of Rochester from 1077 to 1108 and championed viticulture at the cathedral. So when he died, the monks held a festival as a fitting tribute to the winemaker.

Now the tradition is being revived again as the first Wine Garden of England Festival will be held at Rochester Cathedral on Saturday, November 17. The festival, sponsored by Southeastern, is hosted by the dean and chapter of Rochester and the newly formed Wine Garden of England partnership, which features seven of the county’s top wine producers – Biddenden, Chapel Down, Domaine Evremond, Gusbourne, Hush Heath Estate, Simpsons Wine Estate and Squerreys. Taking place over three timed sessions throughout the day, wine lovers will be able to meet leading producers, sample up to 30 top English wines and have the opportunity to purchase their favourites from the day. The partnership was formed to promote the county’s quality wines as well as its tourism benefits, and is working with Visit Kent. Visitors will also be given a selection of branded Wine Garden of England merchandise, including a wine glass, and can also visit the crypt’s exhibition of the Textus Roffensis – a medieval manuscript that pre-dates Magna Carta. Dean of Rochester Cathedral, Philip Hesketh, said: “When Gundulf died, the monks of Rochester held an annual wine festival in his memory, hence my inspiration to restore this tradition.

“I am delighted that Kent’s flourishing vineyards have supported this initiative with great enthusiasm and commitment.”

A blessing of the wine harvest – an annual tradition in France – is set to come to Kent for the first time. The dean will conduct the blessing during evensong in the cathedral nave on Friday, November 16, when members of the public are also welcome.

Tickets for the festival are still available and cost £50. To book, visit the cathedral website at rochestercathedral.org, winegardenofengland.co.uk or eventbrite.co.uk

Picture: Thomas Alexander The Wine Garden of England partnership will kick off events at Rochester