Taste, chat, drink and nibble! Come along to the CSPA Artisan Tasting Evening, catch up with friends, browse our artisan event partners' stalls, enjoy our fun wine quiz and order your delivery of locally produced treats for the festive season ahead. We are delighted to introduce you to our fabulous artisan suppliers below: |
|
|
Anno Distillers Anno was founded in 2011 by Dr Andy Reason and Dr Norman Lewis who left behind their roles as scientists to pursue their passion for craft spirits and open Kent's first gin distillery in 200 years. Started in Maidstone, Marden is where the magic now happens.
As a celebration of the seemingly endless waiting in the early days, Andy and Norman adorned their beloved 300-litre copper pot still with the name ‘Patience’ as a tribute to those challenging times.
Patience stands proudly as the centrepiece at the distillery, gleaming in all her copper beauty and every one of Anno’s delicious spirits is still made in her to this day.
Since those early days, they’ve continued apace to accumulate much praise from both fans and experts alike, culminating outstanding recognition at various awards, including Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Awards.
So how have they achieved such success? Unlike many distillers, the founders’ life-long science background gives them a practical understanding of the equipment capabilities, allowing them to make the highest quality products. www.annodistillers.co.uk |
|
|
Cellar Head Brewing Company Cellar Head Brewing Company is an award-winning independent microbrewery founded in 2017. An all-inclusive brewery that crosses many divides - generations, beer tastes and styles - in a no nonsense "what you see is what you get" way. Using traditional brewing methods, Cellar Head produce a varied range of modern beers focused on drinkability and quality using the finest of English grown malts and hops, as well as selected high quality hops from around the world and their own strain of historic Sussex live yeast. www.cellarheadbrewing.com |
|
|
Lilo Hard Seltzer Lilo is an independent start-up from a group of old friends in the drinks industry.
After years spent advising some of the biggest drinks brands in the world, they have come together to launch their own brands - starting with Lilo, an award-winning, naturally flavoured alcoholic sparkling water…aka Hard Seltzer. Lilo uses only natural ingredients, with purest sparkling Scottish water and uniquely distilled botanical spirits.
Lighter in calories and lower in alcohol (at just 3.5% ABV), yes, but without compromising on flavour. www.lilodrinks.com |
|
|
Moons Green Charcuterie If you want to find Britain’s most exciting pair of charcutiers go no further than a farm in the heart of the Kentish Weald called Owley Farm. Here you’ll discover British charcuterie pioneers John Doig and Ian Jones, owners of Moons Green Charcuterie.
Obsessive about the craft they have been pursuing for almost ten years, they are the team who inspired the invention of many local classics of the young British charcuterie movement. They created the now ubiquitous, and utterly delicious, Beer Sticks. They also make a uniquely British version of ‘nduja - the soft salami famous for its heat and spreadability.
They make more than 20 different saucissons using British ingredients at every opportunity. Their air-dried meats are all melt-in-the-mouth local versions of European classics. Situated bang in the middle of some of the best livestock farms in the country, they source free range meat of unbeatable quality. As they say, “we have a cure for people who are fed up with factory food”.
www.moonsgreen.co.uk |
|
|
Nightingale Cider Company Nightingale Cider is the product of a lifelong love affair with all things liquid apple.
Sam and Tim Nightingale live to create awesome craft ciders made from fruit grown by their dad and hand-picked, in its prime, from their own orchards.
Their grandparents started the family fruit farming business in 1948. Their father, Peter, bought Gibbet Oak Farm in Tenterden in 1984. Today they’re proud to help run the family business.
The Nightingale Cider Co. started as a hobby, under the name Gibbet Oak Cider, selling to local events. 2013 was a big year, when the company released their first bottled ciders. People loved them, and wanted more, so in 2015 Sam swapped his job in sound recording for muddy boots and overalls, and returned to the farm to re-join Tim, and concentrate on doing what he loved. Every drop of Nightingale Cider is the real thing. Proper fine Kentish cider, the golden bounty of the Garden of England. www.nightingalecider.com |
|
|
Weald Smokery The mission at the Weald Smokery has remained true from the very first day – to produce delicious smoked products with passion, pride and care.
With dedication to their craft and maintaining traditional methods, the Weald Smokery has become known as one of the best artisan food producers operating in the UK today, helping them to achieve their most recent award of Best Artisan Producer by Gourmet Britain.
Putting quality above quantity, the Weald Smokery understands that the true pleasure in food lies in savouring something properly crafted and full of flavour.
They have deliberately stayed small to maintain their high standards and remain close to their suppliers. They know where every single fish, cut of meat and round of cheese comes from and are naturally very selective. It also means that they know their customers – many of them by name – and can deliver the choice, quality, taste and service they demand and deserve.
The Weald Smokery has continued to produce smoked products using traditional techniques, which ensures the products retain their truly authentic taste and texture. www.wealdsmokery.co.uk |
|
|
Westwell Wine Estates Westwell is located just beneath the Pilgrims' Way on the North Downs in Kent; a route used for centuries by pilgrims travelling to Canterbury.
Four different grape varieties are grown - Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Ortega. The estate boasts an ideal mix of climate, aspect and soil. There are six classified soil geologies and the varieties have been planted with these in mind.
Chardonnay is situated on shallower, chalky soils where flint proportions are highest and where it captures the evening sun best. The Pinots are on mixed sand / chalk soil, and the Ortega is planted in the sandiest, most sheltered spot of all to fully develop its fruit-forward, aromatic style.
All the wines are made on-site from fruit grown on the estate. This gives Westwell complete control of the full process and ensures an end product that they can be really proud of.
Their philosophy is simple: plant well, respect the soil and make great, honest wines from brilliant fruit. www.westwellwines.com |
|
|
Wine Tours of Kent Wine Tours of Kent was set up by Abi Ireland who, after spending much of her 20s in Australia visiting vineyards across the country, found an appreciation for wine and how it is made.
After returning home and trying unsuccessfully to book a tour with transport to discover some of Kent’s wineries, she realised there was a huge gap in the market and so ‘Wine Tours of Kent’ came about. Wine Tours of Kent offer guided tours exploring the Kent countryside to discover some of England's award winning vineyards and wineries. They offer wine and brewery tours catering for the simply curious and wine buffs alike. Tours include transport, vineyard, brewery and winery tours, tutored wine or beer tastings, and lunch. www.winetoursofkent.co.uk |
|
|
Follow the CSPA on social media: | |
|
|
|
|
