The Credentials:
With the royal baby upon us, the staycation spotlight is firmly on Royal Berkshire. Just over one hour’s drive from west London it is the perfect weekend break, with miles of open countryside, flowering meadows and rolling hills. This county is also a mecca for foodies, with The Waterside Inn, The Fat Duck and the Hand & Flowers crowning the area with Michelin stars. However, for serious wine lovers the choice is simple: The Vineyard.
Dine:
Last year The Vineyard was crowned Restaurant of the Year by Decanter and Laurent Perrier, unsurprising when you consider it is acclaimed chef Daniel Galmiche in the kitchen. Described as ‘the champion of classic cooking with a contemporary twist,’ Daniel can often be spotted whizzing up a culinary extravaganza on shows like Saturday Kitchen. His cooking is a blend of French and traditional Mediterranean dishes with a modern edge. But it is the sommelier that takes these extraordinary dishes to the next level, with a variety of ingenious pairings.
I opted for the five-course Discovery Tasting menu featuring dishes such as hand-dived Orkney scallops with broad beans and Iberico ham and foie gras with beetroot, honey and bee pollen.
The menu was accompanied by a range of flavoursome wines from unpredictable destinations. Among the surprising list was a deliciously smoky Indian Zinfandel, a tropical-tasting Thai Chenin Blanc and the overall winner of the weekend, a Slovakian Riesling.
My partner, Sam, opted for the indulgent, Judgement Tasting. A menu which saw California and France battle it out with every course. Each dish that arrived came with a glass from each country; the same grape, the same year, with the only differentiating factor being the country it was grown. Michael’s own California creations reined supreme, pipping France to the post. Particular highlights included a Californian Sauvignon Blanc with a deceptive hint of classic Burgundy and a particularly easy drinking Les Parvot.
Sleep:
Declaring itself as a restaurant with rooms, this 49-bedroom boutique hotel is all about the culinary journey and could be mistaken for a museum of wine, with no less than 30,000 bottles filling its cellars, bars and corridors. A stone’s throw from Newbury, this hotel is the brainchild of Sir Peter Michael, founder of Classic FM, and pays homage to California and claims to be the Californian corner of Berkshire.
Sprinkled around the hotel are certificates, awards and books about the fine food, arousing anticipation and whetting the appetite.
We were lucky enough to have the best suite in the hotel, overlooking the central courtyard and the elaborate water fountains which danced with flames of fire. The suite boasted an enviable fine art collection, a marble bathroom overflowing with REN products and an elaborate four poster bed to sleep off our indulgent dinner.
There is also a spa with a heated pool, Jacuzzi, heat experience rooms and a small outdoor sun area as well as a thorough treatment menu which naturally features vinotherapy options.
Who Goes There?
Our visit fell at the end of the fully-booked bank holiday and so we were lucky enough to have the hotel pretty much to ourselves. In general though, this hotel is a pilgrimage for wine-lovers and foodies. The restaurant is a civilised affair reserved for special occasions, as well as a regular haunt for a few lucky ones (on arrival I apologetically parked my Mini in between in-between a gleaming Ferrari and a sparkling Porsche). Although children are welcome, on our visit it was a refreshingly grown up affair.
Out & About:
Just a short drive from beautiful country walks and quaint villages it is a great base for exploring Berkshire. It is also the perfect choice for history buffs and Downton Abbey fans, with Highclere Castle just a short drive away. The hotel is happy to arrange tours of this beautiful Victorian castle which sets the scene for this award-winning period drama. Set within 1000 acres of woods and parkland it is also a fantastic day out for keen walkers and nature-lovers.
The Best Thing:
Despite having some incredibly expensive wines on offer this hotel doesn’t abuse its trust. The wines on the blind tasting menus are chosen due to their quality, not price, with the wines we experienced ranging from £8 a bottle up to £140 (we know because the second we got home we went online to buy our favourites!). We were also blown away by the 100 wines available by the glass which supports the hotel’s mission to open the world’s finest wines up to everybody. They also offer great value wine tasting evenings starting from just £25.
The Worst Thing:
The worst thing is that we seem to have incredibly expensive taste with many of our favourite wines pushing the £100 a bottle mark. As a result my shoe fund has been reduced to accommodate for the new initiative; the house ‘fine wine fund’ – which after our visit was deemed a necessity by Sam. Thanks Vineyard. (Although I must add that the overall winner of the weekend was the Slovakian Riesling which I was relieved to discover at under £10 a bottle – phew – Jimmy Choo here I come!
The Details:
The Vineyard, Stockcross, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20; www.the-vineyard.co.uk; 016 3552 8770
*Check the website for details of wine tasting nights and special eat & stay packages.
On Sunday 11 August, The Vineyard will be hosting An Evening with Nyetimber. Book now to experience a delicious four-course meal expertly matched with Nyetimber’s English sparkling wines, from £95 per person. Stay the night with dinner and breakfast – £182.50 per person. Call 01635 528770 to book. Subject to availability.
