Welcome to Wine Tasting with family-run vineyard Domaine des Jeanne.

Sample some delicious wines and discover the captivating flavours of the beautiful Luberon region in the South of France.

Hosted by wine expert, Denise Douet, from Domaine des Jeanne, this session will introduce you to two exceptional wines from the esteemed collection: Prestige Rouge and JJ Rosé.

Prestige Rouge: This red wine has a vibrant character and offers a delightful mix of Grenache and Syrah grapes, boasting a rich purple hue. You'll smell ripe blackberries, plums, and cherries, with a touch of spice. It's well-balanced with smooth tannins, making it a lively choice.

JJ Rosé: A traditional Provençal rosé harvested around the Luberon. It has a soft pale pink colour and is crisp and refreshing. You'll taste fresh wild berries, citrus, and a hint of melon. It's light and easy to drink, with a smooth finish, making it ideal for summer. The aromas include floral undertones and a touch of minerality reflecting the Mediterranean terroir.

What to expect:

• Try these two elegant wines from the Luberon region and learn about their distinct characteristics and what makes them so special.
• Discover the secrets of wine tasting, including how to swirl, sniff, and sip your wine to fully appreciate its complexities. Learn about the five essential steps of wine tasting with Denise. She will guide you through identifying key aromas, flavours, and textures, helping you further enhance your appreciation and knowledge of wine.
• Meet the family behind Domaine des Jeanne and learn about their inspiring journey and dedication to crafting exceptional wines that capture the unique essence of the Luberon region in the South of France. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or simply looking to enjoy a delightful wine-tasting experience, do not miss out on this fantastic event. Tickets are limited, so book yours today and join us on a wine-tasting journey through the vineyards of Provence.

Timothy Taylor’s bring you their very special beer tasting sessions across the weekend with expert Annabel Smith.

In these sessions she will guide you through the world of beer, highlighting the award-winning ales brewed by Timothy Taylor's. Talking about the brewery's 165 year heritage and also busting some myths and teaching some facts about the nation's favourite drink. Each beer will be expertly paired with food from the artisan food producers exhibiting at FoodFest. Each pairing designed to make your palate sing.

What to expect:

• Expert-led beer tastings with Annabel Smith, one of the UK’s leading beer sommeliers
• A journey through Timothy Taylor’s 165-year brewing heritage
• Myth-busting and fun beer facts to impress your mates
• Tastings of award-winning Timothy Taylor’s ales
• Delicious food and beer pairings with top artisan producers from FoodFest

With a rich background in luxury retail and a fervent passion for wine, Denise Douet has been an integral part of Domaine Des Jeanne for the past nine years. As the Business Development Manager, she utilises her deep industry knowledge and enthusiasm to enhance brand presence and customer experience.

Denise has completed the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Levels 1 and 2, enriching her expertise in wine, which she is eager to share.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Denise is married and a mother of two. Cherishing family time and enjoying reading, walking, and travelling, exploring new cultures and landscapes.

This year, Denise is excited to connect with fellow wine enthusiasts at this year's CarFest. She will be hosting the wine tastings in the Tipple Tent, where she invites all to experience the exceptional wines of Domaine des Jeanne. Come and discover flavours that delight and inspire!

Annabel Smith, also known as Beer Belle, is an award-winning Beer Sommelier, educator, writer, and broadcaster. Having managed several renowned cask ale pubs for twelve years, she worked as a trainer for Guinness before becoming the first female beer inspector for the Cask Marque Trust.

In 2012, she became one of the first Beer Sommeliers to be accredited by the Beer & Cider Academy. In 2018 she was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group for services to the beer industry and is a former director of the British Guild of Beer Writers. Annabel has been instrumental in creating several e-learning programmes designed to teach publicans about beer in an engaging and accessible way.

In 2021 she won the Nimble Training Course of the Year for ‘Beer Pro’, an on-line training programme for bar staff. She is the founder member of Dea Latis, an organisation which educates women about beer, and conducts research into female attitudes and opinions about the beer category.

Boost your CarFest experience with a cocktail demonstration and sampling session from Barry Island Spirits Co in the Tipple Tent! Join us to sample some delicious drinks CarFest-themed cocktails and discover the Welsh craft spirits that are making waves.

Hosted by Barry Island Spirits Co owners Claire and Tim Whalley, this session will introduce you to three delicious cocktail recipes made using Barry Island Spirits’ range of award-winning Welsh craft gins, rum and vodka. You’ll be guided through the art of crafting delicious cocktails and you’ll get to sample them too!

What to expect:

• Enjoy three handcrafted cocktails and learn how to make them.
• Discover some trade tips and secrets to help you unleash your inner mixologist.
• Pick up your free cocktail recipe cards and a discount voucher to be used at the Barry Island Spirits Co stand.
• Meet Barry Island Spirits Co Owners wife and husband team Claire and Tim Whalley and discover their journey of giving up corporate careers to follow their dream of opening a bar and taking the keys to their venue two weeks before lockdown struck...

Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or just looking to enjoy a few cocktails as part of your CarFest experience, don't miss out on this fantastic event - Tickets are limited so book yours today!

GreatDrams is taking whisky tasting to a whole new level with their limited edition, small batch release approach. Get ready to explore the intricate flavours and aromas of different whiskies, breaking down each element to truly appreciate the complexity of this beloved spirit.

Whether you're a whisky connoisseur or just starting your whisky journey, this tasting is sure to delight your senses and expand your palate. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind event!

What to expect:

• Taste limited-edition whiskies (fewer than 300 bottles per release)
• Explore different flavour profiles, cask maturations and distillery styles
• Learn how whiskies are created, from sampling to final bottling
• Expand your palate with expert-led tasting notes and stories behind each dram

Different flavour profiles, different maturation casks and styles and different distilleries, but all special in their own right.

Step into the rebellious spirit of the Prohibition era with O'Donnell Moonshine’s high-spirited, on-stage masterclass. Known for their smooth and delicious liqueurs, O’Donnell crafts each drink using only the finest natural ingredients—bottled in iconic Mason Jars for a truly unique experience.

In this interactive tasting session, guests will sample three standout flavours, including the multi award-winning Very Cherry and the sunshine-filled Peach liqueur, while learning more about the craft, character, and creativity behind each sip.

What to expect:

• A guided tasting of three signature O'Donnell Moonshine liqueurs
• The story behind the brand's Prohibition-era inspiration
• Fun mixology tips and flavour pairings
• A lively and flavour-packed session with a few surprises along the way!

Expect a unique tasting experience full of character, flavour, and a touch of rebellious spirit.

Join Christopher Eadie, founder of The Oxton Liqueur Co., and special guest Andy Clarke (ITV’s Love Your Weekend), for a fun and flavour-packed cocktail masterclass in the Tipple Tent.

Whether you’re a beginner or a budding mixologist, this interactive session will teach you how to shake, stir, and serve bar-quality cocktails at home, including the festive favourite: the Christmas Espresso Martini. With expert guidance, insider tips, and a splash of seasonal spirit, you’ll leave with the skills (and the secret recipes!) to wow your guests.

What to expect:

• Hands-on cocktail making, including a festive Christmas Espresso Martini
• Expert tips from Christopher Eadie and Andy Clarke
• A recipe sheet with all the cocktails featured in the session
• A chance to taste award-winning Oxton liqueurs, from Raspberry Gin to Bramble Whisky

Settle in and enjoy a relaxed, behind-the-scenes journey into the world of Penrhose Spirits. This session explores the story of the distillery, from the inspiration behind their craft to the meticulous distillation process that defines each bottle.

Throughout the session, enjoy a generous tasting of the full Penrhose gin range, with expert-led discussions on flavour profiles, recommended serves, and a few surprising pairings to elevate any at-home gin experience.

To round things off, the team will demonstrate how to make their signature Strawberry Jam Jar Summer Cocktail, a vibrant and refreshing serve, complete with mixing tips and the inspiration behind this fruity favourite.

What to expect:

• A guided tasting of the full Penrhose gin range with expert insight
• The story behind the distillery and its unique production methods
• Serving suggestions, garnishing tips, and unexpected flavour pairings
• A live demo of the Strawberry Jam Jar Summer Cocktail with step-by-step instructions

Based just nearby on the picturesque banks of the River Test in Hampshire, this award-winning distillery has spent the last six years crafting spirits that reflect the purity and beauty of their surroundings. With their flagship gin crowned England’s Best London Dry at the World Gin Awards and two successful features with Craft Gin Club, their journey is as impressive as their spirits

Join the founders for a relaxed and engaging tasting session, where they’ll share their story, from learning the craft to creating standout gins and rums. Enjoy a selection of expertly mixed gin and rum cocktails that highlight the versatility and flavour of their small-batch creations.

What to expect:

• A behind-the-scenes story of the distillery’s award-winning journey
• Guided tastings of handcrafted gin and rum cocktails
• Insight into distillation techniques and botanical choices
• Tips on how to enjoy their spirits at home, from classic serves to creative twists

In this fun session, TV drinks expert Tom Surgey introduces four of his favourite non-alcoholic drinks, each easily found in the UK and sets the scene for getting maximum enjoyment from the moments you choose not to drink alcohol. Whether it's a lifestyle choice, seeking out the best options for the moments their journey is as impressive as their spirits. Join the founders for a relaxed and engaging tasting session, where they’ll share their story, from learning the craft to creating standout gins and rums. Enjoy a selection of expertly mixed gin and rum cocktails that highlight the versatility and flavour of their small-batch creations. What to Expect: · A behind-the-scenes story of the distillery’s award-winning journey · Guided tastings of handcrafted gin and rum cocktails · Insight into distillation techniques and botanical choices · Tips on how to enjoy their spirits at home, between alcoholic occasions or when you're the designated driver - this session will inspire and inform your 'not drinking'. Tom focusses on enjoyment, quality of drinking experience and sociability - a humorous, warm-hearted session for everyone, whatever their drinking habits!

What to expect:

• Tasting of four top-quality non-alcoholic drinks curated by Tom Surgey
• Tips on how to enjoy non-alcoholic optionswith the same flair as alcoholic ones
• Insightful and humorous guidance on navigating social moments without alcohol
• Recommendations that balance flavour, sociability, and enjoyment

BARRY ISLAND SPIRITS SESSION

After spending over twenty years in marketing, branding and new product development roles, Claire very sensibly decided to give up her corporate career to follow her and husband Tim’s dream of opening an independent bar in their hometown of Barry. After seven years of planning, quitting their jobs and putting their life savings into their new venture, Claire and Tim took the keys to a disused railway goods shed and began the process of transforming their venue … two weeks later the UK went into lockdown.

What happened next was a series of events that led to not only the opening of the couple’s bar Craft Republic in August 2020, but the couple also accidentally created a spirits business – as you do.

In under four years Claire and Tim have accrued three Great Taste Awards, three Gin Guide Awards, Michelin star customers, starred in an Amazon Prime Video documentary series and their bar Craft Republic was named the UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar (City) by SIBA in 2022.

GREATDRAMS SESSION

Greg Dillon is an author, brand consultant, independent bottler within the spirits industry as well as a judge on the IWSC panel, the World Whisky Award panel and the Spirits Business Masters panel.

THE OXTON LIQUEUR COMPANY SESSION

Christopher and Emily Eadie are the founders of The Oxton Liqueur Company, a business located in Nottinghamshire that, like many great ideas, began around the kitchen table.

Each year, Eadie and his friends would gather to taste their latest homemade fruit liqueurs. It soon became evident that Christopher’s offerings stood out.

This recognition was further cemented when they attended a local Christmas fair and were overwhelmed by the positive response they received.

What started as a part-time hobby swiftly turned into an unexpected and exciting venture. Since its inception, The Oxton Liqueur Company has garnered a reputation for producing exceptionally fruity and smooth liqueurs. The company emphasizes the use of locally grown fruit, often sourced from nearby orchards and hedgerows.

Christopher meticulously crafts these fruits into liqueurs, which, after several months and a few 'family tastings,' are ready for bottling.

From the beginning, The Oxton Liqueur Company has been deeply appreciative of the enthusiasm and support from family, friends, and their loyal customers, to whom they extend their ongoing gratitude and thanks.

THE RIVER TEST DISTILLERY SESSION

Driven by a shared passion for nature, craft, and exceptional quality, Sarah and Jon created The River Test Distillery on the banks of the iconic River Test in Hampshire. Inspired daily by the river’s gin-clear waters and its tranquil beauty, they set out to bottle not just a gin – but the very spirit of the river itself.

Their vision was simple: to craft a gin that stands out for its clarity, character, and balance. A gin that pairs perfectly with a premium tonic, yet is refined enough to be sipped and savoured on its own.

Every element of their process – from carefully selected botanicals to small-batch distillation – reflects Sarah and Jon’s deep respect for their surroundings and their commitment to excellence. The result is a gin that captures the essence of the River Test – pure, distinctive, and unforgettable.

ALCOHOL FREE SESSION

Tom Surgey is a popular author, wine expert and TV presenter, well-known for his media and live events work. He is regarded as one of the country’s most engaging drinks personalities, thanks to his bright, playful charisma and warm sense of humour. Tom is a regular expert guest on ITV's Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh.

Although Tom is a wine specialist, he has a wealth of experience across all drinks categories. This includes premium non-alcoholics, beer, cocktails, cider and spirits, and he also has a deep understanding of the food and the hospitality industry. Tom holds a WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits