Canterbury Wine Festival at Westgate Hall city centre venue

Sip, celebrate and savour the splendour of Kent wine at Westgate Hall’s one-day tasting event.

Meet Master of Wine Clive Barlow MW and Kent’s multi-award-winning vineyards as they introduce the flavours that are making Kent the most exciting wine region in the UK. Taste over 40 wines from vineyards such as Balfour Winery, Biddenden Vineyards, Brenley Wine, Chartham Vineyard, Heppington Vineyard, Simpsons Wine Estate, Terlingham Vineyard, Wayfarer Wines, Woodchurch Wine, Woolton Farm Wine, Yotes Court Vineyard, Wine Garden of England, English wine specialist Corkk and more. Indulge in Kent’s viticulture and sample local food, all in one place in the heart of Canterbury city centre.

For discerning wine lovers, play sommelier by booking a Masterclass with Clive. Over 45 minutes, the inimitable Master of Wine will share his knowledge from over 30 years in the trade during a curated tasting, chosen by Clive to give you the full breadth and body of Kent’s illustrious wines.

Saturday 18 May 2024
Tickets on sale soon

*Please taste responsibly. Spittoons will be available 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).

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

Westgate Hall Community Trust is delighted to be supported by a number of local businesses to create a wider wine community.

Clive Barlow is one of only 418 Masters of Wine in the world, an international wine judge and educator and has a long connection with the English wine industry. He has experience in both the Kent wine industry and the wider wine community, as well as running significant wine events. Clive has worked as a consultant for a number of companies such as Waitrose, Sotheby’s, Whitbread and the Institute of Masters of Wine, among others. Clive’s Press Wine Services is Canterbury’s longest-running independent wine merchant, based at the award-winning Goods Shed.

Sponsor: Burgess Hodgson

“Westgate Hall is a space that brings our community together, holding the same values as those we have at Burgess Hodgson – supporting local people, whilst giving a world-class service. We are delighted to be sponsoring the Canterbury Wine Festival.”

Key Partner: Girlings Solicitors

“Girlings is delighted to be a Key Partner of the third Canterbury Wine Festival. We recognise the significant contribution the English wine industry makes to the region. Its growing international profile is impressive, and it now sits alongside established and prominent vineyards across the globe. Girlings is, therefore, delighted to toast the excellent Kent wine producers many of whom we look forward to meeting at the Canterbury Wine Festival, this year, and we encourage you to join us in celebrating this Kentish success story.”

Lesley Rushton, Managing Partner, Girlings Solicitors

Supporter: Canterbury BID

“The Business Improvement District is delighted to support the Canterbury Wine Festival at the historic Westgate Hall in the centre of the city. The festival raises the profile of our city and is a fantastic way to drive footfall and spend locally while showcasing the amazing vineyards that surround us.”
Lisa Carlson, Chief Executive, Canterbury Bid

The Canterbury Wine Festival™ is a Westgate Community Trust (Canterbury) Ltd project. Images: Carlos Dominguez | Visit Canterbury | Simpsons Wine Estate @ Thomas Alexander | Heppington Vineyard | Biddenden Vineyards

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 in October 2023, 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.