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FORTHCOMING EVENTS 

 

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SPRING WEEKEND IN ESSEX
27th-29th March 2026

Although less well known than Kent or Devon, Essex has a surprisingly large and long-established wine growing industry with over 30 vineyards scattered across the county’s rich rural landscape. Whilst much of the output may go to wineries elsewhere in the UK, there are a growing number of Essex winemakers producing their own label wines, and winning awards.
Within Essex, the Crouch Valley has a remarkable microclimate, which is allowing the six vineyards here to grow grape varieties more typical of southern Europe alongside the Anglo-Germanic varieties such as Bacchus, and it’s this area we’ll be visiting for our weekend tour, based on the edge of the cathedral city of Chelmsford.
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  • Two nights bed & breakfast accommodation at Pontlands Park Hotel https://www.pontlandspark.co.uk, a country house hotel on the southern edge of Chelmsford

  • Friday afternoon coach trip from the hotel to New Hall Wine Estate for a winery tour and curated tasting of New Hall wines

  • Friday evening dinner at Pontlands Park, with wines, and introductory commentary for these, from Tanners Wine Merchants of Shrewsbury

  • Saturday coach tour to:

    • Clay Hills Vineyards, for a short tour and tasting

    • Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome – the last remaining intact World War 1 Royal Flying Corps air base

    • Galleywood Vineyard & Winery for a winery tour and tasting, followed by

  • Saturday dinner at Galleywood, in their gourmet restaurant, accompanied by their own wines

  • Sunday morning visit to the Crouch Ridge vineyard, for a tour, tasting, and a light lunch.

 

The price of the event is £580 per person based on two people sharing a Standard Double or Twin Room, with a single supplement of £140. Some superior rooms are available for which a supplement of £40 per room will be added. Free parking at the hotel.  Coach transfers are included. Extra nights bed & breakfast at Pontlands Park may be available. Please note that the hotel has only guaranteed room availability until 30 September 2025, so any booking enquiries after this date are subject to the hotel having a suitable room available.

 

The non-refundable and non-transferable deposit payable on booking is £165 per person, with the balance payable by 15 January 2026. Click  here for the booking form which you should complete and return to David Carter, at events@chwineclub.org.uk or 11 MacKinnon Place, Dunfermline, KY11 8PW. Payment by bank transfer is preferred, details will be supplied, alternatively please make cheques payable to The Charles Hastings Wine Club and post to David.

Event booking terms can be found here.

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SHORT TOUR TO CARCASSONNE
18th - 21st June 2026

Carcassonne in south-west France is the base for the tour giving access to the surrounding wine region of Languedoc-Roussillon, including Limoux, said to be the original home of sparkling wine. The area is rich in Roman and Cathar history and the stunning hilltop medieval city (La Cité) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It overlooks the River Aude and is a popular stop for travellers on the Canal du Midi. For those who wish to extend their holiday, Robert Boutflower of Tanners (who will be accompanying us) will be very happy to suggest other vineyards that could be visited before or after the tour.

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Transport to or from Carcassonne is not included, but direct flights go from Manchester and Stansted via Ryanair, There are also TGV trains or A61 motorway. Guests will be staying at the 4 star Sowell 'Les Chevaliers' hotel, on the banks of the river with a view of La Cité. 

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Thursday

  • 5pm wine tasting (with “nibbles”) in a local wine bar (15 minutes walk) to give introduction to the wines of the region followed by dinner (with wine) in a local bistro (Michelin guide).

Friday

  • Morning: visit to Limoux (Famile Antech). They produce an amazing range of sparkling wines made by different methods (ancestral, champenoise, cremant) and grapes (mauzac, chardonnay, pinot, chenin blanc)

  • Lunch at a locally famous rustic country taverne

  • Afternoon: a visit to a red wine specialist (Domaine La Louviere)

  • Evening at leisure

Saturday (visits to two of Tanners suppliers)

  • Morning: visit to a family winery (Château Eulalie) in Minervois with a light lunch to accompany the wines

  • Afternoon: visit to a family (been in the area since the 17th century) winery (Château Cendrillon) in Corbières. Modern architect-designed winery with original underground cellars and some unusual grape varieties.

  • Dinner (with wine): lovely restaurant (Michelin guide) with terrace in La Cité

Sunday: depart for UK after breakfast

 

The price of the event is £640 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room, with a single supplement of £200. Coach transfers during the weekend are included. The non-refundable and non-transferable deposit payable on booking is £150 per person, with the balance payable by 18 April2026. Click  here for the booking form which you should complete and return to David Carter, at events@chwineclub.org.uk or 11 MacKinnon Place, Dunfermline, KY11 8PW. Payment by bank transfer is preferred, details will be supplied, alternatively please make cheques payable to The Charles Hastings Wine Club and post to David.

Event booking terms can be found here.

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