We speak to Henry Warde of Squerryes about the winery’s place as one of Kent’s top wine producers
How did you get started out in the industry?
We planted vines on the Squerryes Estate in 2006 after a visit from a Champagne house in 2004; they wanted to buy our land for vines.
Describe a typical day at work
There is no such thing as a typical day on the Estate. I’m involved in everything from walking the vines, managing the property portfolio, welcoming guests at the winery and chasing dairy cows!
Your proudest achievement to date?
Picking up baton as the eighth generation of the family to own and run Squerryes - and of course, bringing up the ninth.
Your favourite wine and food pairing
Squerryes and lobster.
Describe yourself in three words
Ambitious, earthy, family.
What is special about your brand?
At Squerryes we’ve been in the business of creating joy for nearly 300 years and we’re now bottling it. We create vintage sparkling wine that reflects the amazing spirit, rich heritage and the beautiful terroir of our North Downs Estate. It is also the stories, our history I suppose, that make Squerryes so special and our family motto, that has bound all these chapters and all these people together over the centuries: ‘Licet Esse Beatis’ meaning ‘Permitted to be joyful’.
What makes Kent unique?
Kent is the best fruit-growing county in England and it’s that combined with the diversity of characters that we have here that makes us so unique.
