Canterbury Wine Festival at Westgate Hall city centre venue

Discover, enjoy and buy Kent’s world-famous wines all in one place.

The “Vineyard of England” comes to Canterbury for a one-day wine-tasting event with Master of Wine Clive Barlow at Westgate Hall. Indulge in our county’s vibrant viticulture, meet the award-winning vineyards including Balfour Hush Heath, Biddenden Vineyard, Chartham Vineyard, Heppington Vineyard, Simpsons Wine Estate, Wayfarer Wines, the Wine Garden of England and and Terlingham, Gorsley and Chalkdowns, presented by Corkk wines. Taste over 35 locally produced wines and buy your favourites to take home. Enhance your experience and burgeoning wine collection by booking a Masterclass with wine expert Clive.

Saturday 20 May 2023
Full booking details coming soon.

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*Please drink responsibly. Spittoons will be available and must be used frequently throughout the event.

Getting here

Our address is Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BT. Westgate Hall is close to all major road and bus routes to Canterbury city centre, and adjacent to the 190 space Pound Lane car park (charges apply – the car park is owned and managed by Canterbury City Council, postcode CT1 2BZ – please drink responsibly).

Headline sponsor: Burgess Hodgson

“Burgess Hodgson Chartered Accountants are delighted to be Headline Sponsor for the second Canterbury Wine Festival™ at Westgate Hall. We are thrilled to be involved in this event which will showcase Kent’s innovative spirit, skill and success in wine growing at a fantastic Canterbury venue. We hope that as many of you as possible will come and sample its delights. Join us in tasting the future.”

Amanda Selmon, Head of Marketing, Burgess Hodgson

Key Partner: Girlings Solicitors

“Girlings is delighted to be a Key Partner sponsor for the second Canterbury Wine Festival. The festival unites wine producers – large and small – from across the county. This celebration of English wine is a great opportunity for us all to support the growing significance and success of the Kent wine industry. We encourage you to come along to the Festival, to taste for yourself why Kent’s award-winning wines have become so popular both in the UK and abroad.”

Andrew Watson, Managing Partner, Girlings Solicitors

Why wine?

“Wine brings people together, it’s a social lubricant” says Clive. In a time when coming together and spending quality time with each other is becoming ever more paramount and needed, the Canterbury Wine Festival is a chance to switch off from the everyday and indulge a little in the finer things in life and leisure time.

Why Canterbury?

Kent is the best county producing wine in England. Canterbury is the heart of Kent, and therefore of the wine region. There’s nowhere better to tantalise those taste buds and to try new flavours.

The inaugural Canterbury Wine Festival 2019

In June 2019 we held the inaugural Canterbury Wine Festival™, where over 300 people gathered under our historic roof to taste, discover and talk about Kent’s award-winning wines from 14 vineyards across our beautiful county.

Sounds like fun doesn’t it? Come join us

Introducing Master of Wine Clive Barlow

Clive started his wine career quite by accident, when he spent a summer working on a pheasant farm as a young man. An interest in the land and sustainability, man's relationship with it and the cultural link forged from it inspired Clive, and now as owner of Press Wines at the Good Shed Canterbury, he shares the wonders of this beautiful, sensual product that people enjoy together, and his passion for it, daily. Wine is an integral part of socialising, food and bringing people together, and that’s what this festival is all about.

“Where it takes the individual. Whilst the taste of the wine will fade, the knowledge you’ll learn and the memories you’ll make at the festival will last, making all your future wine tasting that bit more enjoyable.”

Westgate Hall Market

We showcase Kent's talented Makers, Artists and Producers, all in one place, in our spacious venue. Browse the very best in local produce, crafts, arts, homeware, jewellery and more. Meet the people behind the products and hear how they lovingly make each item, or host your own stall.

Produced in Kent

Westgate Hall is proud to be an Industry Partner of Produced in Kent. The garden of England is abundant in exceptional locally grown food, drink and artistry. We join Produced in Kent's mission to celebrate, promote and champion Kent's exceptional produce and crafts.

Canterbury Festival

Kent's much-loved, long-standing International Arts event, Canterbury Festival, is coming to Westgate Hall from 15 - 29 October 2022, bringing world-renowned artists, musicians, comedians and performers to Canterbury, for the whole community to enjoy and participate in.

Bemix Discovery Catering

We regularly welcome social enterprise Bemix Discovery Catering and their wonderful group, those with and without learning difficulties, to enjoy time together gaining skills in cooking and catering. Restrictions permitting, you can visit their monthly pop-up cafe at the Hall.

Canterbury Academy Trust

Westgate Hall supports young people as they practise, rehearse and perform their creative skills during their studies at Canterbury Academy Trust - the "school of all talents". We provide a large, safe space for them to thrive and flourish in as part of their studies and training.

Health and wellbeing venue hire at Westgate Hall

NHS Blood donations

Trusted by the NHS, our spacious, hygienic Hall has hosted blood donation sessions for years. We have continued to do so throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, providing a safe space for vital health sessions.