With summer in sipping distance. Here’s something to raise a glass to our brand NEW Shaken & Stirred Drinks Stage, sponsored by 820 Spirits. Born in Lymington, this award-winning distillery blends science, sustainability and flavour crafting vibrant, balanced spirits using local botanicals.

So, pull up a bar stool and immerse yourself in a journey of craft beers, spirits, fizz and wines delivered by a smorgasbord of the most acclaimed writers, broadcasters, drinks experts and brands across the south. Blend Helen Nicklin drinks writer and broadcaster, mix in Tom Fahey acclaimed UK Sommelier from The Terrace and Wine Rooms Ventnor, bestselling drinks author and picky bits expert Neil Ridley and award-winning journalist and craft ale expert Melissa Cole.

With tastings and masterclasses also from award winning English sparkling Hattingley valley, Stanwell House Hotel,  Mure liqueurs, 820 Spirits, The Solent Cellar and showcasing great pours from local brewers The Monkey Brewhouse, Pig Beer, Vibrant Forest Brewery & Dead Duck Brewery.

We’ll be announcing the full line-up of classes and tastings over the coming weeks — many free to attend, with a few ticketed sessions to cover the cost of the good stuff

Masterclasses. Tastings. Talks.
All things beer, wine & spirits — in one place. Roll on summer, a bit like Club Tropicana but where some of the drinks are free!

MEET WINE EXPERT HELENA NICKLIN

Helena is an award-winning drinks writer and broadcaster, blending wine and spirits expertise with over 20 years of storytelling and live entertainment.

A regular in the Daily Mail and The Sun, she’s also appeared on TalkTV, Virgin Radio and the BBC, and stars in the award-winning Amazon Prime series The Three Drinkers.

She’s currently the wine expert on Alan Carr and Lee Peart’s podcast Bottoms Up!

RAISE A GLASS TO NEIL RIDLEY

Neil is a bestselling drinks author, with eight books including Distilled, World Atlas of Gin and 60 Second Cocktails. His award-winning work has been published in 16 languages.

His latest No.1 bestsellers, The Crisp Sommelier and The Picky Bits Sommelier, include the UK’s top-selling drinks book of 2024.

He writes for Wallpaper, The Daily Telegraph and Decanter, and has been drinks expert on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch for over a decade.

TAKING THE BEARD OUT OF BEER IS MELISSA COLE

if craft ale is your thing then join Melissa Cole, 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.

She will be joined on stage by a bevy of local craft brewers including the Monkey Brewhouse, Vibrant Brewery, Dead Duck and Pig Beer.

A BIG WELCOME TO TOM FAHEY

UK’s 12th best and acclaimed sommeliers and co-owner of The Terrace Rooms & Wine in Ventnor, Isle of Wight. With a Michelin-level approach to pairing “dishes to wine,” his style is anything but ordinary.

After 12 years as a guidebook inspector, he “fell” into hospitality—launching The Terrace in Yarmouth, soon praised by the Michelin Guide and The Times.

Now alongside his wife Ashley, he runs a boutique wine hotel built around an extraordinary cellar and unforgettable tastings. Tom’s wine masterclasses on Sunday only will be nothing like you have ever experienced.