FAQs

Are you open to the public?

Balfour Winery and our Cellar Door is open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm from 1st November until 30th April and from 10am to 6pm from 1st May until 31st October.

Do you allow children on the tours?

Children under 10 years old are not permitted on the tours and due to Health & Safety risks cannot go inside the winery. Only visitors over 18 will be able to taste the wines, ciders and beers available. We operate a Challenge 25 policy when tasting and selling alcohol and proof of age may be required (passport/driving license/PASS ID card).

Do you allow dogs?

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed to walk around the Estate (except guide dogs) or in our restaurant. However, well-behaved dogs are welcome on our downstairs terrace on a lead.

Will the tours still go ahead in the rain?

The tour will go ahead in all weather conditions. Please ensure you bring suitable outdoor clothing and footwear to walk around the estate.

When do your tours operate?

Tour and Tasting group experiences operates seven days a week, subject to availability. Booking is required. Please see our “Visit” tab for further information and times.

Private and corporate tours and tastings can be pre-arranged, please call us on 01622 832794 to check availability and prices.

Self-guided tours do not need to be booked. Explore at your own pace all year round from 11am – 5pm (subject to spraying, please telephone 01622 832794 to ensure the vineyards are open for walks).

What do I need to wear for a tour?

Please ensure you bring suitable outdoor clothing and footwear to walk around the estate.

On a bookable tour, how many wines do you taste?

The Tour and Tasting, the Tutored Tasting, the Winter Wine Experience and the Wine and Dine Experience all taste six of our wines, the Nannette’s Tour and Tasting tastes three wines.

Can I come and walk around without booking?

Self-guided tours can be taken every day between 10am and 5pm without booking (subject to spraying, please telephone 01622 832794 to ensure that the vineyards are open for walks).

Can I be picked up from a local station?

We offer a shuttle bus service on Saturdays and Sundays to and from Marden Station. The first bus will depart from Marden station at 10am with the last bus leaving at 6pm from Balfour Winery. Please note that this service cannot be pre-booked, is subject to availability and at busy times there may be a short wait. Transfers for Private and Corporate groups can be arranged on request.

What are the local taxi company numbers?

Please note that our local train station, Marden (KENT), does not have a taxi rank. We recommend you book transport to and from the winery well in advance. Local taxi companies to try:

MTC Taxis – 01622 890003 (www.maidstonetaxicompany.co.uk), United Cars – 01622 321321 (www.united-cars.co.uk), Elba Private Hire – 01580 441302 (www.elbaprivatehire.com)

How do I redeem an Experience Voucher?

You can book a tour and redeem your voucher online by inserting the voucher code at check-out, or call us directly.

How do I book a tour?

You can book a tour online here, or call us directly on 01622 832794.

Do you have a restaurant?

Our Winemakers’ Kitchen restaurant is open for lunch seven days a week serving from midday until 3pm and on Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm until 9pm. Bookings are advised and reservations are essential for dinner. A sample menu can be viewed at the “Winemakers’ Kitchen” tab of our website. Please note that the Winemakers’ Kitchen restaurant is only accessible by stairs.

We also offer delicious sharing platters and flatbreads on the ground floor of our visitor area and terrace throughout the year between midday and 4pm, that perfectly accompany our wines.

A sample platters and flatbreads menu is available to view on the “Eat with us” section of the Visit tab on our website.

How much is a tour?

The Balfour Wine Estate Tour and Tasting and the Winter Wine Experience is £45 per person (£20pp supplement on Saturdays), the Nannette’s Tour, Tasting and Lunch is £60 per person, the Wine Tasting Masterclass is £25 per person, the Wine and Dine Experience is £175 per person.

Can I book a private tour for a group?

Yes, we can organise private tours for groups of friends, family and colleagues, please call 01622 832794 or email [email protected] to make enquiries.

Are you open in the winter?

Yes, Balfour Winery and our Cellar Door are open every day from 10am to 5pm from 1st November until 31st April and from 10am until 6pm from 1st May till 31st October.

Do you have disabled access?

Our tasting room, Cellar Door and toilets have good disabled access. Our upstairs mezzanine level, the Winemakers’ Kitchen and Bacchus Room are only accessible by stairs.

What are your nearest train stations?

Trains run from London Bridge to Marden (the nearest train station) and Staplehurst approximately every half an hour. Please check www.thetrainline.com/en-us for train times and a live timetable.

Do you hold weddings?

Unfortunately, we are not able to hold weddings.

Do you have ample parking?

We promote sustainable travel to the Estate, but if you do choose to drive we have ample car parking, which is free. Balfour Winery cannot be held responsible for any damage caused to vehicles by other visitors whilst using our car park. We also have an electric charging point for electric cars.

Where can I buy your wines?

You can order online from www.balfourwinery.com. You can purchase directly through our Cellar Door shop and some of our wines are available through selected retailers.

Do you offer free delivery for online wine orders?

We offer free delivery to mainland UK addresses on all orders over £80.