Ruth and her husband, Charles, have two vineyards – one in Kent and one in South France

This week my guest is Ruth Simpson from Simpsons Wine Estate, in the village of Barham in Kent.  Ruth and her husband Charles have been making wine at their property in the South of France for almost two decades but in 2014 decided to bring their expertise back to the UK, establishing Simpsons, right in the heart of what is now known as the Wine Garden of England. 

Ruth’s background is working in the charitable and humanitarian sector and she is a fifth-generation member of the Grant family, who are responsible for the Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Hendricks Gin brands so, some would say she has alcohol running through her blood!

We talk about what it’s like working with your respective other, innovation in wine making and how Simpson’s famous helter skelter came about!