How To Celebrate English Wine Week 2024

English wine has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. While British wine was once sniffed at by oenophiles, these days it’s widely viewed as one of the world’s most up-and-coming regions. The English sparkling sphere is having a particularly big boom, but still wines are an exciting sector too. Each year, this is celebrated at English Wine Week, which returns from 17 – 25 June 2024, with a whole host of vineyards and bars primed to get involved by hosting tastings, tours, lunches and more. Read on for our pick of the best events for 2024.

A Guide To English Wine Week 2024

What Is English Wine Week?

Founded in 2006 by WineGB, English Wine Week is a national campaign to promote English viticulture. It takes place annually at the start of summer, when flowering begins in the vineyards, aiming to raise awareness of all the brilliant wineries dotted across the country. 

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English Wine Week Events 2024

Tastings at Three Choirs Vineyards

One of the UK’s oldest vineyards is Three Choirs in Newent, Gloucestershire, which opened ahead of the English wine boom, back in 1990. Take a trip there this English Wine Week and join special tastings on 19 and 20 June, where you’ll enjoy a glass of sparkling Classic Cuvee on arrival ahead of five selected wines, alongside a selection of cheeses from Taynton Farm Shop.

19 and 20 June 2024, 12 – 2pm. three-choirs-vineyards.co.uk

Gusbourne

Boutique winery Gusbourne is renowned for its sparkling wine, which is grown across two plots of land: one in Appledore, Kent, and another near the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex. The vineyard has lots going on this June, including a midsummer barbecue on 21 June, where you’ll be treated to a meal straight off the grill – alongside plenty of English rosé, naturally. Alternatively, you could book an al fresco picnic on the vineyard (15 or 16 June), or go all out and book The Gusbourne Icons Experience (22 June), where you’ll get a chance to try some of the winery’s finest, rarest wines over a four-course lunch.

Various dates throughout the week. gusbourne.com

Water Lane English Wine Fair

Visit Water Lane in Hawkhurst – which includes an idyllic walled garden, a vinery and a restaurant – for its English Wine Fair. Taking place on 15 June, the event will spotlight 15 producers from Kent and Sussex, with an afternoon of tastings, talks and discussions, followed by an evening supper club. 

15 June 2024, 12 – 6pm. waterlane.net

Vineyards of Hampshire Fizz Fest

Returning for its 10th year is the Vineyards of Hampshire Fizz Fest, hosted at The Grange winery. Explore over 20 premium sparkling and still wines, talk to producers, taste local street food, get involved with masterclasses, enjoy live music and more.

23 June 2024, 12 – 4.30pm. vineyardsofhampshire.co.uk

English Wine Masterclass with Le Cordon Bleu London

Keen to learn more about all things English wine? Get clued up at this masterclass, hosted at esteemed culinary school Le Cordon Bleu in London. Taught by Master Sommelier Matthieu Longuere MS, the two-hour class will give you an introduction to the English wine world, with the chance to taste eight wines.

20 June 2024. cordonbleu.edu

Chocolate x Wine Tasting at Tinwood Estate

Chocolate and wine: is there a better combination? Enjoy two of life’s greatest pleasures at this tasting event hosted at Tinwood Estate, in collaboration with Montezuma’s. Begin with a glass of sparkling wine ahead of a talk on the history of both the estate and Montezuma’s, while enjoying a selection of chocolate flavours, paired with wines.

18 June 2024, 6 – 7.30pm. tinwoodestate.com

English Wine Tasting at Farm Shop Mayfair

You can get involved with the fun in London by heading to Farm Shop Mayfair, which is hosting a relaxed and informal tasting during English Wine Week. Try four British wines from the store’s sister vineyard in Somerset, alongside a selection of cheese and charcuterie.

19 June 2024, 6 – 7pm. dursladefarmshop.co.uk