Our pick of the top wine-related things to see and do during the month of October
Eat here: LDN CRU x Avenue St James
Throughout October London winery LDN CRU is collaborating with Avenue to deliver a tasting menu that pairs their English wines with top British seasonal dishes. The menu, devised by winemaker Alex Hurley and head chef Rudi Warner begins with a glass of just released 2019 Blanc de Noirs traditional method English sparkling wine, followed by three courses of delicious food to pair with D&D Cru Bacchus, London Cru Pinot Noir Précoce and Pinot Gris PétNat. £55 per head.
If you’d rather not jump on a plane to take flight this autumn then you can climb aboard the British Airways i360 on October 14 when Sussex vineyard Nyetimber will be showcasing three of their sparkling wines to passengers as they ascend 450 feet above Brighton. Enjoy panoramic views of the city and coastline during this special wine flight in the British Airways i360 Pod, where Nyetimber brand ambassador Zoë Dearsley, guides you through three award-winning cuvées; Nyetimber’s flagship pour, Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage, the Blanc de Blancs 2014 and the Cuvee Chérie Multi-Vintage. Tickets cost £45.
Stay here: Leonardslee Gardens
From this month, visitors to Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, near Horsham in West Sussex, can enjoy a luxury overnight stay following the opening of 10 elegant bedrooms in the 19th century Grade II listed house. The individual-styled rooms, all with views across the woodland estate, provide the perfect place to retire after a day spent exploring the gardens and a spot of afternoon tea or the 20-plus course tasting menu at Restaurant Interlude, lead by executive chef Jean Delport, recently won a Michelin Star for a second consecutive year. Price from £350 per room.
Have a go at: Making a pumpkin-themed autumnal centrepiece
Halloween isn’t all about the kids you know and this is one way the grownups can enjoy the witching hour. Hosted at Bluebell Vineyard Estates by Megan Rose Floral Design, this 90 minute workshop will show you how to create a beautiful autumnal table centrepiece. Then head for a 45-minute tasting of the vineyard’s award-winning Hindleap and Ashdown wines. Nibbles and all required materials also incuded. Tickets £70pp.
Fly here: Barcelona
Wine lovers are in for a treat this year if they travel to Catalonia in Spain this year as a host of new wine experiences have been organised as part of Barcelona being designated World Sustainable Food Capital for 2021. Now it’s becoming easier to travel abroad, soak up some autumn sunshine and Spanish wine from across the region at places such as Llopart Winery, which is offering a new walking tour through the vines from their cellar to Les Flandes or Juvé & Camps wineries, located in the cava capital of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, as they celebrate their 100th anniversaries. Or if you’d rather not leave home the Freixenet is offering new customised virtual cava tastings with prices starting from €49 per group.
