The Southern Quarter’s pick of the best English wine-related things to see and do this month
Join this: Harvest time at Tinwood Wine Estate
Discover what happens behind the scenes at Tinwood Wine Estate near Chichester in West Sussex on one of a series of harvest experience days. Meet vineyard owners Art and Jody Tucker for coffee and cake at 9am before setting off to learn how they harvest the grapes.
The event also includes a harvest-style three-course meal paired with three glasses of Tinwood’s sparkling wines. Harvest days will be held on September 25th, 26th, 28th, 29th and October 2nd and 3rd.
Places cost £59 per person and can be booked at tinwoodestate.com
Read this: Watercress, Willow and Wine by Cindy-Marie Harvey
An illustrated celebration of English vineyards and wines paired with recipes using locally sourced ingredients Watercress, Willow and Wine is a must for English food and wine lovers. From the picturesque vineyards of Cornwall and Dorset to the beautiful downlands of Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey, the book celebrates some of England’s finest wine producers and pairs them with recipes using locally-sourced ingredients from land and sea.
Beautifully illustrated by illustrator Chloe Robertson, it is a journey through Hampshire-based author and wine educator Cindy-Marie’s favourite English vineyard estates and combines her wine expertise with her love of food.
“While still a relatively young member of the global wine family, this small island is already starting to conquer the hearts and minds of wine lovers, earning international awards and plaudits.” said Cindy-Marie, who owns private wine tour company Love Wine Food. “Getting to know in-depth the local regional foods of Europe and beyond due to my travelling, oddly enough brought me closer to seeking out fabulous British foods at home”.
Published by Whitefox on September 15th, RRP £25.
Breathe into this: Vinyasa in the Vineyard at Balfour Winery
Combine yoga, nature, wine and food for a relaxing day out in the heart of the Kent countryside. Reconnect with nature and yourself as you’re guided through a tour of the vineyards at Balfour Winery to a secluded spot among the vines for a gentle vinyasa flow yoga class. Afterwards, enjoy a tasting of three Balfour wines and lunch of charcuterie, seafood, cheese and vegetables. The class, on Sunday September 18th, is suitable for beginners and improvers and costs £65 per person.
To book visit balfourwinery.com
Eat here: The Rows and Vine at Ridgeview
Ridgeview has opened a new al fresco, year-round restaurant next to its Chardonnay vineyard in the heart of the West Sussex countryside. The Rows and Vine overlooks the estate and is set amongst a stunning landscaped garden, designed by The RHS Chelsea Flower Show ‘Best in Show’ medallist, Andrew Sturgeon.
Designed for sharing and pairing, the menu showcases Sussex’s freshest and finest ingredients, from Rebel Brighton charcuterie to Boho Gelato, alongside Ridgeviews famed sparkling wines.
The restaurant is open Thursdays to Mondays from midday to 8pm. To book visit ridgeview.co.uk.
Buy this: We are The Uncommon tote bag
Treat yourself to a September back to school/work gift and order Jasmine, the organic, Fairtrade cotton bag from English wine-in-a-can producers, The Uncommon.
The roomy tote, made by re-wrap, a a non-profit organisation actively working with rural women in India, training them in traditional craftsmanship and helping them gain economic independence.
