The Shaken & Stirred Stage
To celebrate our 10th birthday we have teamed up with sponsors 820 Spirits to create a new drinks stage and we’ve invited a handful of the most acclaimed writers, broadcasters and drinks experts to join the festivities.
So, pull up a bar stool and immerse yourself in a journey of craft beers, cocktails and wines. Plus, mixology masterclasses from the team at 820 Spirits.
Please raise your glasses to
HELENA NICKLIN
Helena is an award-winning drinks writer and broadcaster, blending wine and spirits expertise with storytelling and live experiences that shake together her 23 years experience into one incredible cocktail of entertainment.
She is a regular contributor for the Daily Mail and The Sun newspapers as well as host of leading lifestyle magazines. She also regularly pops up on TalkTV, Virgin Radio and the BBC and can also be seen in her own Amazon Prime food and drinks series ‘The Three Drinkers’, which scooped a host of industry awards.
She is also currently a wine expert guest on Alan Carr and Lee Peart’s video podcast Bottoms Up!
NEIL RIDLEY
Neil is the co-author of eight books on spirits and cocktails, including Distilled, winner of the Fortnum & Mason Drinks Book of the Year, now published in 16 languages, the World Atlas of Gin, and the No.1 bestseller 60 Second Cocktails.
His latest titles, The Crisp Sommelier and The Picky Bits Sommelier, were both No.1 bestsellers, with The Crisp Sommelier becoming the UK’s biggest-selling drinks book of 2024.
A respected food and drink writer, Neil contributes to Wallpaper, The Daily Telegraph, and Decanter. He is an experienced presenter across television and live events, and has served for 11 years as drinks expert on Channel 4’s award-winning Sunday Brunch. He holds the Freedom of the City of London and is a Liveryman of the Distillers’ Company.
MELISSA COLE
Known for her humour and easy-going communication style, Melissa Cole is an award-winning journalist, globally-respected beer judge, Certified Cicerone and author of five books.
The first UK woman to become a Belgian beer ‘knight’, she was also just awarded the inaugural Women in Beer Industry Icon Award, amongst other accolades.
Believing in hands on education, and not just of the drinking kind, also gets her boots dirty at the sharp end, having helped design and create brews with such iconic brands as Thornbridge, St Austell and Fuller’s, to name but a few. She’s also pretty handy in the kitchen too!
TOM FAHEY
Acclaimed sommelier and co-owner of The Terrace Rooms & Wine in Ventnor, Isle of Wight. One of the top 20 sommeliers in the UK and with culinary abilities that wouldn’t look out of place in a Michelin starred kitchen. His ethos of matching ‘dishes to wine’ is pretty unique with skills no doubt honed during twelve years as a guide book inspector.
He ‘fell’ into hospitality when he helped launch The Terrace, Yarmouth with his in-laws in 2020, quickly to be acclaimed in the Michelin Guide and The Times.
A couple of years later alongside wife Ashely they launched the boutique Terrace Rooms & Wine a wine-focused ‘hotel orbiting the world’s most kindly priced wine cellar’ specialising in extensive, accessible wine lists.
Renown for his immersive wine tastings, so we really excited he’s making the trip to join the launch of our new stage.
LIVE ON OUR CHEFS STAGE
Friday Lineup
Melissa Cole ‘Meet the Brewer’
Friday 10th July1pm – 1.30pm
Join Melissa Cole, award-winning journalist, author and globally respected beer aficionado for a craft beer masterclass alongside Greg Hughes from Dark Revolution Brewery.
This class is free, so just gather round or pull up a bar stool and enjoy a world of beer!
Neil Ridley, The Crisp Sommelier
Friday 10th July2pm – 2.30pm
Take your drinks party skills to a new level with award-winning writer and C4 Sunday Brunch presenter Neil Ridley as he unlocks a new and slightly bonkers world of pairing drinks with our favourite pub snack. Crisps!
It’s free to attend, so ‘nik nak’ a front row seat to slurp and crunch through his highly entertaining drinks class.
Solent Cellar ‘Oysters & Wine’
Friday 10th July3pm – 3.30pm
Join the team at Solent Cellar for a journey of ‘wine and oyster pairings’. More information coming soon.
This class will require booking and a small fee to cover the cost of the food and wine.
Melissa Cole ‘Meet the Brewer’
Friday 10th July4pm – 4.30pm
Join Melissa Cole, award-winning journalist, author and globally respected beer aficionado for a craft beer masterclass alongside one of the Forest’s local brewers.
This class is free, so just gather round or pull up a bar stool and enjoy a world of beer!
820 Spirits ‘Rum, Gin & Vodka Masterclass’
Friday 10th July5pm – 5.30pm
We are delighted to welcome 820 Spirits, sponsors of our new Shaken & Stirred Stage for a masterclass and tasting. Experience their rums, gins and vodka’s and learn how to mix the perfect cocktail.
Stay tuned for more info.
Neil Ridley ‘The Picky Bits Sommelier’
Friday 10th July6pm – 6.30pm
The ultimate guide to picky bits and drink pairings, from expert Neil Ridley. From last-minute parties to sofa nibbles whether its meaty, fishy, veggie, vegan, boozy or not—you’re covered. Open a new world of perfect pairings, build spreads to impress, settle the “what counts as a picky bit” and what to drink with them.
Free to attend. Arrive early and don’t be too picky where you sit!
Saturday Lineup
Melissa Cole ‘Meet The Brewer’
Saturday 11th July11.30am – 12pm
Join Melissa Cole, award-winning journalist, author and globally respected beer aficionado for a craft beer masterclass alongside one of the Forest’s local brewers
This class is free, so just gather round or pull up a bar stool and enjoy a world of beer!
Neil Ridley ‘The Crisp Sommelier’
Saturday 11th July12.20pm – 12.50pm
Take your drinks party skills to a new level with award-winning writer and C4 Sunday Brunch presenter Neil Ridley as he unlocks a new and slightly bonkers world of pairing drinks with our favourite pub snack. Crisps!
It’s free to attend, so ‘nik nak’ a front row seat to slurp and crunch through his highly entertaining drinks class
Helena Nicklin, ‘A Journey of Bubbles’
Saturday 11th July1.15pm – 2pm
Do you know your Cava from your Crémant? Join award-winning broadcaster and writer Helena Nicklin for a ‘Journey of Bubbles’ from the southern hemisphere sparkling wines through to Italy, France.
Hattingley Valley will also be taking to the stage and telling us how English Sparkling has been taking on the big Champagne houses with great success.
Melissa Cole & Will Bradshaw, Monkey Brewhouse
Saturday 11th July2.20pm – 2.50pm
Join Melissa Cole, award-winning journalist, author and globally respected beer aficionado for a craft beer masterclass alongside Will Bradshaw, landlord and brewer at the Monkey Brewhouse. Curator of fine craft beer including our annual festival ale.
This class is free, so just gather round or pull up a bar stool and enjoy a world of beer!
Zach Wall, Stanwell House
Saturday 11th July3.15pm – 3.45pm
Arguably the best mover and cocktail shaker in town. Join Zach Wall, head barman and drinks alchemist for a masterclass like no other. Along with drinks expert Helena Nicklin, you’ll learn and enjoy a couple of signature cocktails everyone should have in their locker.
This class will require booking and a small fee.
Neil Ridley ‘The Picky Bits Sommelier’
Saturday 11th July4.15pm – 4.45pm
Meet the ultimate guide to picky bits and drink pairings, from expert Neil Ridley, author of The Crisp Sommelier. From last-minute parties to sofa nibbles whether its meaty, fishy, veggie, vegan, boozy or not—you’re covered. Discover perfect pairings, build spreads to impress, settle the “what counts as a picky bit” and what to drink with them.
Free to attend, so grab a bar stool for a journey of snack & drink pairing enlightenment!
820 Spirits ‘Rum, Gin & Vodka Masterclass’
Saturday 11th July5.00pm – 5.30pm
We are delighted to welcome 820 Spirits, sponsors of our new Shaken & Stirred Stage for a masterclass and tasting. Experience their rums, gins and vodka’s and learn how to mix the perfect cocktail.
Stay tuned for more info.
Helena Nicklin ‘Seafood & Wine Pairing Masterclass’
Saturday 11th July6:00pm – 6:30pm
Join wine expert Helena Nicklin for a masterclass in pairing seafood with wines from across Europe. Sample Cave de l’Ormarine from the Languedoc, Ormarine Picpoul, Rias Baixas and Albariño wines from Spain all beautifully paired with oysters, squid and other fishy delights from our festival traders.
Class will require a small booking fee and places are limited.
Sunday Lineup
Melissa Cole, ‘Meet the Brewer’
Sunday 12th July11.30am – 12.15pm
Join Melissa Cole, award-winning journalist, author and globally respected beer aficionado for a craft beer masterclass alongside one of the Forest’s local brewers.
This class is free, so just gather round or pull up a bar stool and enjoy a world of beer!
Tom Fahey, ‘Seafood Wine Matching’ France vs The World
Sunday 12th July12.20pm – 1.15pm
Join Tom Fahey from the Terrace Wine & Rooms, Ventnor, the UK’s 12th Best Sommelier and curator of the UK’s Best Rose Wine List to taste six wines that prove conclusively whether Muscadet, Chablis and Picpoul really are the perfect partners for shellfish or whether the French just made it all up to us flog us poor Brits a load of tasteless old plonk.
Places are limited and a booking fee applies.
Mat Follas ‘Meet Mure Liqueurs’
Sunday 12th July1.30pm – 2pm
In 2009 Mat was crowned winner of Masterchef but left the restaurant world to craft liqueurs and spirits. His lemon liqueur was crowned the world’s best, beating classic Italian limoncellos, and our absinthe snagged a bronze.
Join Mat as he dives into Europe’s spirited history, why Brits and Dutch love juniper while the continent leans aniseed, and there’ll even be a taste of our gin—and a daring splash of absinthe for the brave! Mat will be hosted by Chris Bavin.
Free to attend!
Helena Nicklin & Hattingley Valley ‘A Journey of Bubbles’
Sunday 12th July2.20pm - 3pm
Do you know your Cava from your Crémant? Join award-winning broadcaster and writer Helena Nicklin for a ‘Journey of Bubbles’ from the southern hemisphere sparkling wines through to Italy, France.
Hattingley Valley will also be taking to the stage and telling us their English Sparkling and how our vineyards have been taking on the big Champagne houses with great success.
This class is limited in numbers and requires a small booking fee to attend.
Melissa Cole ‘Local Craft Beer Masterclass’
Sunday 12th July3.20pm – 3.50pm
Join Melissa Cole, award-winning journalist, author and globally respected beer aficionado for a craft beer masterclass that showcases a range of the best New Forest local brewers including Monkey Brewhouse, Vibrant, Pig Beer, Dark Revolution and Dead Duck Brewery.
This class is free, so just gather round or pull up a bar stool and enjoy a world of beer!
Helena Nicklin ‘Seafood & Wine Pairing Masterclass’
Sunday 12th July4pm – 4.45pm
Join wine expert Helena Nicklin for a masterclass in pairing seafood with wines from across Europe. Sample Cave de l’Ormarine from the Languedoc, Ormarine Picpoul, Rias Baixas and Albariño wines from Spain all beautifully paired with oysters, squid and other fishy delights from our festival traders.
Class will require a small booking fee and places are limited.
Booking Notes
Most of the tastings, talks and masterclasses are free to attend so arrive early and grab a front row seat for tasters.
Other classes are limited in numbers and require pre-booking along with a small payment to cover the cost of the drinks. Please bring your E-ticket with you either printed or on your phone.
Terms & Conditions.
You must be aged 18yrs or over to book. You may be asked to show proof of age.
Classes will start as close to the advertised time, some classes may run over. Help us to be on time.
We reserve the right to refund anyone who appears or acts like they’ve drunk one too many.
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