Thames Valley Food & Drink Festival

Head to Brightwell Vineyard for a splendid array of wine and artisan treats, June 17th & 18th

The third edition of The Thames Valley Food & Drink Festival – (thamesvalleyfestival.co.uk) – returns to Brightwell Vineyard, just outside of Wallingford, over the weekend of June 17th & 18th.

The line-up includes over 30 lip-smacking independent food and drink producers drawn from the Thames Valley region – including six independent English wine producers – with negligible food miles.

On offer is wine and food tastings, self-guided walks among the vine rows, artisan food stalls, with plenty of seating to eat and drink while listening to live jazz, swing, and popular melodies, soaking up the far-reaching countryside views. The festival takes place in the grounds of Brightwell Vineyard who will be showcasing their award-winning wines, including Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Chardonnay and its prestigious English Brandy.

Wine buffs (and bluffs) can also sample English wines from six leading local vineyards including Brightwell, Dawes Hill, Fairmile, Jojo’s, Freedom of the Press and Hendred. Each offering subtly different white, rosé, red and sparkling wines grown on the mineral rich soils of the Thames Valley and Chiltern Hills. Those whose tipple is a spirit will not be disappointed, with artisan makers including the GB Mead Company, vermouth from In the Loop Drinks, gin from Henley Distillery and Old Sun Rum. South Oxfordshire Brewery will be serving-up pints brewed only five miles away.

A tantalising array of artisan fare is designed to tempt the tastebuds of visitors from far and wide, and food vendors will ensure nobody leaves hungry with stalls including savoury tarts from Tarte in a Box, vegan cakes from The Witches Kitchen, doughnuts from Oh So Dough, Alex’s delicious sweet and savoury Crepes, Marlow Cheese, and wraps with Bohemian Rhapsody, Supreme Burgers, surf n Fries and the Pizza Boys. Sample local charcuterie, biltong, or Johnny Hot Stuff’s chilli sauces. Perhaps book a home delivery hamper from Riverford Organics. There’s tableware by Blue and White Company, and beeswax candles from Henley.

The Horsebox Coffee is back too, offering a range of hot drinks including freshly ground coffees.

Doors are open from 11am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday, with ample free parking on site for visitors.

Prices: Tickets purchased in advance for one Day entry cost £9 per person, with children under 10 free. Purchase a full ticket for £14 which includes festival entry, six tasting vouchers, a tasting glass and glass holder. Tickets purchased at the gate on the weekend will be £10 and £15 respectively. Cash and cards welcome.

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