Calendar of events for 2026 - dates for your diary
We release tickets approximately six weeks in advance, they tend to sell out quickly so please sign up to our Spectator Club emails if you'd like to receive our notifications.
Wine Club event dates so far for 2026
22 January - Storyman Whisky Tasting with James Cosmo
23 January - A Boisdale Burns Night Feast with Christian Seely & James Cosmo
30 January - A NZ Winemaker Lunch with Steve Smith MW
5 February - A Masterclass in Magic with Mark Mason
11 February - Spectator Quiz Night
12 February - Valentine's Dinner TBC
13 February - Winemaker Lunch TBC
19 February - Wine School - South Africa at Gravetye Manor, West Sussex
26 February - Chris Maltman on Wine & Opera - a boardroom dinner
4 March - A Menzendorff Winemakers Lunch at The Pig in the Downs, Arundel
6 March - International Women's Day Winemaker Lunch with Amandine Bernard of Ch. Beauchene
12 March - A Masterclass in Magic with Mark Mason
13 March – Winemaker Lunch TBC
19 March -Spectator Writers' Dinner TBC
20 March - Sugrue South Downs Winemaker Lunch with Dermot Sugrue
21 March - Spring Shoot & Wine Lunch TBC
9 April - Winemaker Dinner TBC
10 April - Winemaker Lunch TBC
16 April - Spectator Writers' Dinner TBC
14 - 18 April - Access all areas Rioja trip
19-21 April - Swinton in Spring
7 May - Boekenhoutskloof Winemaker Dinner
8 May - The Spring Clays, Claret, Cognac & Cigars Cruise
14 May - Spectator Writers' Dinner TBC
June -Summer Sessions in the Garden
11 -18 May - Access all areas Alsace Trip
17 September - Spectator Writers' Dinner TBC
18 & 19 September - Spectator Clays, Claret, Cognac & Cigars Autumn Cruises
Tuscany : 21-25 September 2026
15 October - Spectator Writers' Dinner TBC
Burgundy : 19-23 October 2026
19 November- Spectator Writers' Dinner TBC
Napa: 17 - 24 November 2026
Truffles & Trattoria - Rome with Olivia Potts - 4 -8 December
A note on our events: All our events are relaxed and informal (there is nothing so stuffy as a dress code) giving guests the chance to enjoy fine wine and conversation with fellow Speccie readers. Some come in couples, but many come on their own and firm friendships have been forged here over the Cru Classé claret. Do join us!
Cancellation policy: Many of our events have a waiting list and so, whilst we cannot guarantee a refund, we will always try to refund tickets when given good notice.
If you've enjoyed our one of our winemaker events and value them as a subscriber benefit we'd really appreciate it if you'd leave a review here.
Recent quotes from guests:
That was the most splendid lunch yesterday! I felt absolutely at home as soon as I walked in through the door and Fiona greeted me and looked after my luggage. I was perfectly taken care of as soon as I entered the building. Met so many interesting people, learnt a lot from Vincent, and felt thrilled to finally be in the Spectator office, whence this magazine that I have read for at least 15 years with my dad in Sutton, New South Wales, emanates! It is truly a bunch of special, educated and very humorous people. The wines were excellent, of course, but also the food too! Somehow I hadn’t expected the food to be that good, especially for a “sort of” vegetarian like me, but really hats off. Jane G
Carina and I had the most AMAZING time at such an impressive venue. Everything was impeccably presented, people so professional and fun, and the cigars, wines, food, clay shooting, cognac were outstanding. Eric Deardorff.
'Thank you so much from us both for yet another splendid evening. Mike was a revelation in talking about sea food. Who would have thought that anyone could wax lyrical about the joys of oysters, and the different tastes? And ever so slightly worrying, the best method of killing a crab, or a lobster? How clever to have found someone who managed to combine huge knowledge, and passionate enthusiasm. A very good follow up to the caviar tasting; it’s so interesting for someone who has an abiding interest in foods, and then to have them explained by someone who knows their stuff, The whole experience is very much in the Speccie’s DNA: enabling those of us who know a little, to know a whole lot more, and opening up new doors.' C & J L.
"I just wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for such a wonderful lunch at the Spectator Headquarters. It was an absolute honour to be part of such a vibrant and inspiring group of women, all coming together to celebrate fine wine, great conversation, and the spirit of International Women’s Day. The selection of wines was truly exquisite, each glass telling its own story, and perfectly complemented by the divine food choices. The atmosphere was warm, engaging, and full of energy, laughter and shared passion". JF
"I have never had a disappointing event at The Spectator. The food is consistently good, the company interesting, friendly and lively, and Johnny is always a welcoming and entertaining host. The Veuve Cliquot dinner was a real treat, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was good to try something different from my usual favourites when exploring champagne, and the detailed information from the in house expert was fascinating. The fish main course was particularly good, incidentally, and that is something quite tricky to get right. Mine was cooked to perfection. Thank you to the team at the Spectator Club." SB
"The wine lunch this past Friday with Anthony was brilliant and educational. I learnt so much. The wines were lush too". PA
"I'm so, so glad to have come last night. A huge thank you to you, Jonathan and Laura for a truly excellent evening- a Masterclass indeed. For the first time, I feel enlightened about Italian wine and the timing of yesterday's event couldn't have been better because I'm going to Venice next week for a few days. I just hope I can remember most of what Laura told us so brilliantly." AT
"It was a joy, delicious lunch and perfectly compered by your mate Johnny Ray. Olivia is a dreamboat, warm, charming, great personality and clearly a superb cook." TB
"Thank you oh so much for putting on such a lovely event. I felt so welcome and thoroughly enjoyed the whiskies, company and nibbles. I will be ordering some this weekend!! I am going to endeavour to come to a wine lunch as soon as I can and look forward to meeting you and your team again." PZ
"I thought Claire Ridley was entertaining, engaging, knowledgeable and an excellent ambassador for the Chateau. This time I did not make any notes on the wines unfortunately. I thought they were all delicious but the best unsurprisingly was the 2005. After that my preference was for the 2016 and 2014. The Beef Wellington was exceptionally good. As usual the company and the exchanges both of which add to the enjoyment of these occasions was full of knowledge and good humour." MB
"I had a spiffing time thank you and I didn’t even shoot! I will be ordering some wine. The Spectator has certainly revolutionised my social life. Can’t wait to get to Bordeaux. I almost never review anything but the organisation of your events is exceptional - they're just great fun and one can be guaranteed great wines!" KB
“Had a great time on Friday. Excellent ambience and shooting. The food and wine were superb and I have just purchased 6 bottles of the Champagne. Excellent presentations, the day was very good value for money when you considered the quality of the food and wine etc." WW
