Sip and celebrate Kent’s award-winning wines

Westgate Community Trust and Master of Wine Clive Barlow will present the third Canterbury
Wine Festival on Saturday 20th May.

Westgate Hall, in the heart of the cathedral city, invites wine lovers and explorers to discover and
celebrate Kent’s wines, among the finest in Europe.

Hosted by the popular community venue, the Festival will bring Kent’s unique terroir to the city
centre as it showcases over 35 local wines. Multi-award-winning wine producers, such as Simpsons
Wine Estate, Balfour Winery, Biddenden and Chartham Vineyard, newer producers, including
Heppington Vineyard, Yotes Court and Terlingham Vineyard, Wayfarer Wines, Woodchurch Wine and Woolton Farm, as well as the Wine Garden of England, will present the diversity and splendour of
Kent wines. English wine specialist Corkk will also present a range of wines, including their
homegrown creations.

The wine producers will welcome visitors and, while guiding them through the wines on offer, share the incredible story of Kent’s viticulture.

During one of two three-hour bookable sessions (£35pp), enthusiasts will be able to sip and sample
their way around Kent’s vineyards and talk one-to-one with the wine makers.

Canterbury Wine Festival co-host and renowned wine expert Clive Barlow MW – one of only 418
Masters of Wine in the world – is offering an additional 45-minute Masterclass experience with
wines curated by him to highlight the unique qualities of Kent wine (£20pp). Wines will be available to buy by the bottle on the day, to take home and enjoy.

Imogen Morizet, Chair of Westgate Hall Community Trust Ltd said:
“When Master of Wine Clive Barlow suggested in 2019 it was the moment to launch the Canterbury Wine Festival, we found ourselves shining a spotlight on a world class product. Vineyards had been quietly transforming Kent’s countryside, particularly around Canterbury, and the wine they were producing was starting to break cover at national and international wine events. Kent’s wine producers are a testament to the county’s entrepreneurial spirit, adapting to climate change by creating a new economy with new jobs and delicious joy. Westgate Community Trust is honoured to be part of this (r)evolution and support Kent’s Wine Heroes and Heroines.”

Master of Wine Clive Barlow said:
“The Canterbury Wine Festival is a celebration of the wines of Kent and the people and
communities who create them. Over the last few years, we have witnessed new producers planting vineyards and new winemakers creating fabulous wines. The festival is a great opportunity to taste the wines of the ‘terroir’ of Kent, England’s finest wine county, so don’t be shy, grab a glass and experience the best of Kent.”

Canterbury Wine Festival continues to flourish once again thanks to the continued support of Key
Partner Girlings Solicitors and their dedicated Supporters – Canterbury Business Improvement
District (BID), Burgess Hodgson Chartered Accountants, Oz Clarke OBE and Ruth and Charles
Simpson of Simpsons’ Wine Estate, ever willing to share their time, wisdom and good humour. All
have supported the Festival from its start in 2019.

The Canterbury Wine Festival – Saturday 20 May 2023
Time slots: 12pm – 3pm / 4pm – 7pm
£35pp – includes over 40 wine tastings per person
Add a Masterclass with Clive Barlow for an additional £20

Further details and booking is available from www.westgatehall.org/canterbury-wine-festival

Note to editors:

For further information about Westgate Hall and Canterbury Wine Festival and interviews: please
contact Bryony Bishop, Communications for Westgate Hall at bryony@beebeecomms.com / 07862
241922.

Press tickets are available for the VIP reception with wine expert and TV presenter OZ Clarke OBE
on Friday 19th May 5:30 – 7pm. To register, click here or email Bryony at
bryony@beebeecomms.com.

Photo credits: Canterbury Wine Festival, Westgate Hall. Photo Carlos Dominguez