Yotes Court is nestled in the Garden of England - a bold, modern venture led by progressive and sustainable values, but with roots deep in time, tradition and place. Into all this, they blend skill, passion, dedication, and a generous dash of joy to create sustainable, rewarding wines.

A Very Special Site

Susannah Ricci, owner of Yotes Court Estate, was initially at a loss as to the best way to preserve the picturesque Kent countryside surrounding her family home after acquiring a neighbouring fruit farm upon the grower’s retirement.
Following much research and after many discussions, it was concluded that the land was perfect for growing grapes.
Master of Wine Stephen Skelton has hailed Yotes Court as the best site he has planted for 45 years. The land is perfect for vines – frost-free, free-draining, sheltered, sunny south-facing slopes, green sand at the top, heavier clay as the slope bottoms out, and stony ragstone to retain heat.

The Grapes

Yotes Court Vineyard is a beautiful sloping site looking towards Bidborough Ridge with free-draining soil full of Kentish ragstone chunks. The majority of the 30-hectare vineyard is established with the three key grape varieties for Traditional Method sparkling wine, known as the magic trio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Some 4-hectares are also planted with Bacchus and Pinot Blanc which produced their first harvest in October 2020, and Pinot Gris and Divico, which will be harvested in October 2021.
Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris will be familiar to people who love these wine styles from areas like Alsace. Bacchus is a delicious aromatic variety becoming popular in the UK due to its suitability to the UK climate. Divico is a new red variety full of flavour and specially created with natural disease resistance, which fits well with Yotes Court sustainability practices.

Sustainability at Yotes Court

In August 2020, Yotes Court Vineyard was one of the first 12 producers to become accredited under the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain scheme; they are now one of the first producers in the UK to offer its accredited wines for purchase.

Our Review of Yotes Court On the Bridle Bacchus 2020

"Yotes Court might not be a name many are familiar with, yet, but their grapes have been going into the bottles of some of the country’s best-known producers for many years. Now they’re being bottled under Yotes Court’s eye-catching, colourful own label, they won’t be escaping anyone’s notice for long.
The grapes grow on perfect warm and sunny south-facing slopes in the Kent countryside. Kent is renowned for its fruit growing and where apricots once ripened, grapes now grow. There are 30ha of vines and first releases from the 2020 vintage are four still wines – two Bacchus, a Pinot Blanc, and a Meunier rosé.
The On The Bridle Bacchus is pale, almost crystal clear. Full of early summer character it offers up appealing aromas of hawthorn and hedgerow. As well as floral notes there’s plenty of red apple, pear, peach and citrus on the palate, and a crisp, refreshing finish.
With this and the other wines (On the Nod, Hands and Heels and Best Turned Out) all named with horse racing terms, they’re a sure-fire bet for English summer enjoyment." Ian Hardwick for Wine Cellar Door.