WELWYN WINE SOCIETY

​​​​​​​Thursday 23 April - "Sommelier Favourites" with Duncan Gammie

Duncan is an experienced Sommelier, wine educator (WSET Level 4 Diploma) and owner of The Wee Vinoteca wine bar, shop and award winning Wine Club. His carefully curated selection of wines is designed to offer quality over quantity, ensuring every glass has a story to tell and offer something special. A highly experienced and entertaining presenter, we welcome Duncan to his first event at Welwyn Wine Society.

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Thursday 28 May - Annual General Meeting and Mini Wine Fair

We always try to get through the formal business as quickly as possible, not least so we can enjoy our freshly cooked fish and chips from the Village's renowned chippie, accompanied by a nice glass of wine, of course! The Mini Wine Fair, which follows, takes on a slightly different format this year. We will each be given a list of the wines available to taste. However, the identity of the wines will be concealed. You will know what they all are but will have to work together, in groups, to figure out which is which! It promises to be a really fun evening.

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Thursday 25 June - Australian Wine Tasting with Marcus Parry

Marcus is Senior Brand Manager, Fells Wine Importers and Distributors. Marcus joined Fells in 2019 with nearly a decade in the wine trade has a WSET Diploma. He currently manages the company’s Australian portfolio including Tyrell’s, Vasse Felix, Torbreck, Hill-Smith estates and Yalumba to name a few! Fells is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading Fine Wine Distributors and exclusively represents some of the world’s greatest family-owned fine wine producers.

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Thursday 23 July - North American Wine Tasting with Trevor Sharot

Trevor, Grape Deal Wine Consultancy and WWS member, is back, this time sharing his knowledge of North America. His fascination with wine was the result of a eureka moment at a dinner, and he went on to pass the WSET Diploma and join the Association of Wine Educators. His view of the world of wine is that it is full of hidden treasures, and that behind every bottle is a story that he loves to discover and share.

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August - No meeting this month

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Thursday 24 September - Southern Italy with James Berovici, Big Red Wine Company.

After a last grand tour of Europe in an old VW camper van James became interested in ‘real’ wine and started a specialist wine import business, initially focusing on southern Rhone before expanding the portfolio to mid-range wines other French regions. Since then, succumbing to the allure of Italy and have found some amazing wines from Piedmont, Tuscany, Veneto and, more recently, Basilicata and Puglia in the far south, all superb wines at affordable prices.

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Thursday 22 October - South African Wine Tasting with Preet Sahota

South African Tasting Showcasing an Expanded Range of Wines for 2026 with Preet Sahota of Edgmond Wines. A popular WWS presenter, Preet will share his excellent knowledge and passion for South African wines. From starting out a career in a village shop to now running his own wine company, Preet has been operating Edgmond Wines for over 13 years. During that time, he has forged great relationships with world renowned and emerging winemakers across the Southern Hemisphere.

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Saturday 5 December - Society's Annual Wine Fair and Dinner 2026

Widely regarded as the "Jewel in The Crown" of our annual programme. With over 40 wines to taste, including Champagne, Fine Wines, Desert and Fortified Wines, this really is a "do not miss" event! The four course dinner offers a great chance to socialise with fellow members and your invited guests. 

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December - No meeting this month

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Looking ahead to 2027.....

Alison, our Programme Manager, has been very busy behind the scenes. She has already secured most of the presenters for 2027 including some for whom it will be their first visit to The Society.

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Corney and Barrow were established in 1780 and are the oldest independent fine wine merchant in the UK. Having built and nurtured close relationships with their suppliers over hundreds of years, 75% of their portfolio is exclusive to them. We look forward to finding out more about them, and tasting some of their wares.

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A relative newcomer to the world of wine, Lokkelebery Vineyard is located less than 1km, as the crow flies, from our home at The Civic Centre. The site has a rich history. With traces of a Roman Villa and being adjacent to the Welwyn Roman Baths, it is likely that the free draining soils and aspect of the farm were once used by Romans for viticultural purposes. We welcome Hannah Buisman, who manages the 15 acre local vineyard, to tell her family's fascinating story and share their first vintage with us, in addition to a selection of other wines.

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