This Is The Perfect Festive Day Out For Wine Lovers
It’s that time of the year again when London is lit up with festive celebrations, from the enchanting shop windows in Oxford Street to the dazzling gardens that will soon be glittering in Christmas colours. And while we can’t wait to explore the city’s magical winter offerings, we’re always on the lookout for something extra special. This year, we’ve got our eyes on exploring the beautiful Bolney Wine Estate, which makes the perfect festive getaway just outside London.
In Partnership With Bolney Wine Estate
Nestled in the heart of rural Sussex, Bolney Wine Estate is one of England’s oldest and most beautiful vineyards. Whether you’re looking for a nice pinot noir to put on your Christmas table or you’re keen to pick up the perfect bottle of bubbly to gift a friend, Bolney’s award-winning still and sparkling wines offer something for every palette. This year, the wine estate is playing host to an array of fun festive activities that make for an excellent way to enjoy the season without straying too far from London. Here’s what we’re looking forward to this Christmas at Bolney Wine Estate:
Learn a festive craft
There are lots of Christmassy events coming up at Bolney over the months of November and December. We’re talking candle and wreath-making workshops (all while sipping on some award-winning wine of course), and Festive Fridays, which are all about sitting down with friends and family amidst the gorgeous surroundings of the Sussex countryside, nibbling on sharing boards and puddings over some live music.
One to mark for the 30th of November is the Christmas Wine Fair at Bolney.
One to mark for the 30th of November is the Christmas Wine Fair at Bolney, where you can taste their full range and talk to the team about the best choices for gifting and which ones make the best picks for your Christmas dinner table.
Try some of the best wine in the country
Find out more about what goes into the making of these incredible wines with Bolney’s vineyard tours, which take you through 50 years of winemaking history. The tours give you the chance to have a magical day exploring the vines as you stroll across the stunning estate and then sample their award-winning wines. You will also get to see the state-of-the-art winery and learn about the Bolney winemaking method all the way from selecting the grapes to bottling.
The tours give you the chance to have a magical day exploring the vines as you stroll across the stunning estate.
For the complete experience, choose the Ultimate Tour which involves a guided tasting of a handpicked selection of wines, which are paired with a carefully curated plate including a seasonal mezze board and delicious petits fours. As the days get shorter, the Twilight Tour is also a great winter experience, where you can enjoy a walk amidst the gorgeous estate at dusk, followed by a guided tasting experience with paired wine and cheese.
Enjoy perfectly paired seasonal menus
The Bolney Café and Wine Bar is the perfect place to enjoy delicious charcuterie boards, cakes, pastries and sandwiches and catch up with friends and family over a glass of wine or bubbly. The charcuterie platter comes with sourdough crackers, baguette, chutney and salad and includes options like Brighton blue cheese, ricotta stuffed peppers, parma ham and rare roast beef. For a full meal, you can choose to visit Eighteen Acre Restaurant, which has a stunning balcony overlooking the vineyard and serves dishes that perfectly complement the estate’s English wines.
If you love a good roast don’t miss the special Sunday menu which offers everything from roast pork belly to roast butternut squash.
Start with hot smoked salmon, beef carpaccio or a local Sussex cheese board and then move on to stellar dishes on the menu like braised pork belly, root vegetable tagine or locally sourced cod and chips. If you love a good roast don’t miss the special Sunday menu which offers everything from roast pork belly to roast butternut squash with vegan jus (and there’s also an option for little people, so the kids will have something too).
Learn all about wine from an expert
On Thursday, 19th December, another event to add to your calendar is a talk by Sam Caporn MW – the acclaimed “Mistress of Wine,” one of only 149 female Masters of Wine in the world. A renowned author, former presenter and wine expert on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen, Caporn will host an intimate evening where she will guide guests through a carefully curated selection of red and white wines.
Bolney Wine Estate will be hosting Sam Caporn MW – the acclaimed Mistress of Wine.
You’ll also have the chance to ask her questions and get a copy of her new book The Wine Flavour Guide signed – the ideal experience for anyone looking to learn more about wine.
Shop for the perfect Christmas gift
Bolney Wine Estate has a great range of wines that are perfect for gifting and can be found in a number of major retailers. Even if you can’t make it to the vineyard, you can shop these award-winning wines online. Here are some of our favourites to buy now:
Find out more here: www.bolneywineestate.com
