Susannah Ricci, Yotes Court owner, planted the less commercial Pinot Blanc grape variety as she was excited by the potential of this grape in the English growing conditions, especially having tasted examples from other English producers, including Stopham. She, and us, are absolutely delighted by her foresight as the resulting Pinot Blanc is delicious. It is a pale, well rounded wine with hints of orchard fruit on the nose. As it has been lightly oaked it has a slight vanilla edge on the palate. A real treat and definitely worth the risk.

The Yotes Court vineyard has one of the best views in the country. The vines grow on a gently sloping south facing hill and the eye is drawn to Bidborough Ridge and beyond toward Tunbridge Wells. There is bucolic vista of the garden of England, with arable, livestock and fruit farms lying and drawing away before your eyes. Stephen Skelton MW, English viticulturist, who established the vineyard for the owners in 2016, said that it was the best site he has planted in 45 years. Soils vary as you move down the slope with greensand at the at the top and a mix of clay, sand and ‘chunks of ragstone’ as you move towards the bottom.