June 7th, 2005
ENGLISH WINE FESTIVAL GOES
BACK TO ITS ROOTS
The 31st English Wine and Regional Food Festival - the UK's
longest running wine festival - is going back to its roots.
Plans are now being finalised for the festival's return to the
English Wine Centre at Alfriston, East Sussex, on Saturday and
Sunday, September 3 and 4. For the last three years the popular
festival was held at Bentley Wildfowl, near Lewes, but a new
venue had to be found when East Sussex County Council decided
to sell the attraction.
The festival is the annual showcase for the country's leading wine
producers and visitors will once again have the chance to sample
the top English wines.
Steve Mitchell, who runs the Walton's Oak Barn catering
operation at the English Wine Centre, is organising the festival on
its original home ground.
"We are all absolutely delighted to welcome the festival back to
the wine centre," said Steve. "Although Bentley has now
reopened under a new management we had to find a new venue to
secure the future of the festival when the county council first
announced plans for the sale and the future of Bentley was
uncertain.
"It didn't take long to decide that the festival should come back to
the wine centre as it is the most fitting venue and has been
associated with the festival since it first began."
English Wine Centre owner and festival originator Christopher
Ann launched the event at a time when very few people knew
about English wine, let alone had tasted it.
Christopher said: "Like the festival, English wine has come a long
way over the years and we look forward to welcoming wine
enthusiasts old and new back to Alfriston this year."
Advance tickets for the festival, which is open from 10.30am to
5pm on both days, are now available at a reduced rate of £10 per
person per day, a saving of £2.50. The price includes wine and
food tastings, a souvenir glass and programme.
For tickets and further information contact the English Wine
Festival office on Tel 01323 871123.
ends
For further information contact:
Steve Mitchell
Walton's Oak Barn
Tel: 01323 871123
|
