The Domaine Evremond winery in Chilham, Kent, was officially opened earlier today by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh.

Vitalie Taittinger, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh and Patrick McGrath MW © Thomas Alexander Photography

The Duchess joined the Domaine Evremond team, members of the Taittinger family and local dignitaries at the official opening ceremony in the heart of the Garden of England.

Champagne Taittinger’s President, Vitalie Taittinger, and Domaine Evremond’s co-founders, Patrick McGrath MW and Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, welcomed guests at the new winery, outlining the decade-long journey to the opening, before The Duchess revealed a commemorative plaque which was laid at the entrance to the winery.

The Taittinger family also presented the first edition of Domaine Evremond’s Classic Cuvée, sharing a first taste with the guests. The wine will be released for sale in spring 2025.

Patrick McGrath MW comments: “Domaine Evremond has been more than 10 years in the making. It has been an incredible and exciting journey for all the team, and the driving force throughout has always been that of friendship.”

Vitalie Taittinger adds: “I feel blessed to have inherited this amazing adventure from my father, along with the friendship at its core. We would not be where we are today without Patrick’s incredible hard work bringing the vision for Domaine Evremond to life, cementing the many layers of Anglo-French history and friendship behind this project.”

Today’s opening marks a significant milestone for the winery, which was founded in 2015 – the first time that a major Champagne house had invested in land in the United Kingdom with the ambition of producing a top-quality sparkling wine.

Domaine Evremond is a unique partnership between Champagne Taittinger and their UK partner, Hatch Mansfield.  The winery is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has been built with sustainability at the fore. The first vines were planted in 2017, and the Cellar Door will open to the public when the wine is released in spring 2025.

© Thomas Alexander Photography

Other distinguished guests at the opening included:

• The Lord Lieutenant of Kent

• The Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy

• The Archdeacon of Canterbury Cathedral

• The Vicaire Général of Reims Cathedral

• The Dean of Rochester

• The Leader of Kent County Council

• The Leader of Ashford Borough Council

• The Mayor of Ashford

• The Mayor of Canterbury|

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