A Great Variety of Wines and Beers to Suit All Tastes and Pockets

The selection in Benenden’s cellar has always punched well above the weight of a mere village shop, but in the past few months we’ve introduced more and more wines, from good budget offerings to some that are really quite fancy - yet still not priced to break the bank. On a heartfelt mission to help the people of Benenden drink better, we’ve introduced top-notch bottles from the heartlands of Burgundy and Bordeaux, but we’ve also gone off the beaten track to find you rarities and curiosities, from Georgia in the farthest-flung corner of Europe to gems from Argentina, Puglia and Languedoc. Some will sit happily in the fridge door for a quiet Tuesday night, while others are very much for a special occasion. The choice is yours, but whatever your pick, you can read regular updates in the village magazine, where you’ll also find out how to join in one of the regular wine tastings run by the Benenden Wine Society.

Of course, our village’s drinkers demand much more than just excellent wine, so we’ve also laid on an impressive range of beers and ciders; from local brewers like Harvey’s of Lewes, Cellar Head from Flimwell and family-run Romney Marsh, from the Kent-Sussex border country; and cider-makers like Tenterden’s Wise Owl and the long-established operation at Biddenden. Cellar Head produce a wide variety all on their own, from the highly drinkable Session Pale Ale to the warmingly wintry Flapjack stout; Biddenden, already well known for its wine, also produces ciders made from carefully selected Kentish dessert apples in dry, medium and sweet varieties; Wise Owl’s founders have drawn much of their expertise from trips to the West Country but their apples are sourced from Pluckley and Bodiam, milled, pressed and left to ferment for two months, after which the cider is matured in tanks for a further four months. Like all our offerings, it’s well worth the wait.

From whisky and wine to port and gin, we believe we cater for your every drinking need, but please come and browse and feel free to let us know if there’s anything new you’d like to try. We’ll always do our best for you.