Category: Parties

A Vineyard Diary Part 11

Virginia Coates, Head of Events demonstrates local and seasonal food pairing with English sparkling wine from Coates & Seely.

Vineyards and Coronavirus

The story so far: life begins to return to something closer to normality, with the hospitality sector having taken the first early steps towards re-opening, (although crowd-related ‘events’ remain prohibited).  Meanwhile, we have completed the first curated tours of Coates & Seely on ‘Albion’, our 1952 vintage coach…

In addition to a curated guide of the vineyards and winery, with transport provided by ‘Albion’, our tour-guests are also treated to food matching – with canapés made from our own ingredients or those of our neighbours – followed by lunch outside under Indian Mughal tents. 

Virginia’s culinary skills at this point play a leading role, proving that the chalk soils of North Hampshire not only provide outstanding fruit for the production of English sparkling wine, but also the perfect ingredients for food pairings with our wines.

Food pairing with English Sparkling Wine

England has no food and wine ’vernacular’, in the way that French or Italian wine regions, for instance, have developed – sometimes over centuries – local food dishes that perfectly match the local wines, but we have made an exciting start at Coates & Seely, knowing that no wine is ever entirely complete without matching food and the deep pleasure of accompanying friendship.

Here is Virginia at work.

A Vineyard Diary Part 10

Coates & Seely launch the private tours of their Hampshire vineyard and winery including sparkling wine tasting and food pairing lunch.

Vineyards and Coronavirus

The story so far: after battles with disappearing workforces, collapsing markets, devilish frosts and government fug, are we seeing the early glimpses of a return to a previous life?

Hampshire Vineyard Private Tour lunch under Indian Mughal Tent

In anticipation of the re-opening of the hospitality sector next week, and in an attempt to make up in some part for the lost, but essential, life pleasures of eating and drinking in beautiful surroundings, we have decided to open our Hampshire gardens and English Sparkling Wine vineyards and offer socially-distanced Private Tours of our vineyards and winery, followed by tastings, food pairings and lunch under Indian Mughul tents.

Given the constraints we are under the tours, filmed below, can only be taken by groups of 8-12 people and are aimed principally at the corporate hospitality sector or perhaps for those special occasions. 

(to be continued….)

The Four Seasons Hampshire

Four Seasons executives from around the world came to Hampshire in May for their annual conference and were treated not only to the 18th century splendour of Dogsmerfield Park, the group’s Hampshire landmark, but to an array of classic British experiences, ranging from hunting packs, croquet duels and classic British vehicles in the form of Coates & Seely’s ‘Albion’.

We are proud of our listings at the Four Seasons, and particularly at our listing in the wonderful ‘Wild Carrot’ restaurant at Dogmersfiled, and were delighted to represent our country to their group of global executives with our English Sparkling wines and our vintage British coach…

King’s Presence Chamber Dinner at Hampton Court Palace

Coates & Seely were delighted to be served at a dinner in the Great Hall of Hampton Court Palace to thank some of the leading benefactors to Historic Royal Palaces.


Drinks were served in the Privy Garden – a perfect restoration of William III’s original garden of 1702 –  after which guests proceeded to dinner in the Great Hall. Lying at the heart of the Tudor Palace and towering above the surrounding buildings, the Great Hall was designed to impress and to proclaim Henry VIII’s power and magnificence. By the time building started in 1533, Henry had divorced his first wife Katherine of Aragon and was married to his second, Anne Boleyn. Seventy years later, in the reign of James I, Shakespeare and his company of players performed A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Great Hall.  Other historic events at the Palace are too numerous to mention.

The Palace stands as a remarkable repository of British royal history and we were honoured to be present there and to have our wines served. 

The Tower of London : Ceremony of the Keys

Footsteps echo in the darkness. The sentry cries out, ‘Halt, who comes there?’ The Yeoman Warder replies, ‘The keys.’ ‘Whose keys?’ ‘Queen Elizabeth’s keys.’ ‘Pass then, all’s well.’

For over 700 years, at exactly the same time each night (at 8 minutes to 10pm), the Chief Yeoman Warder of the Tower of London locks the gates of the Tower under the eyes of the duty regiment of Foot Guards then on duty, and proceeds to take the keys to the Queen’s House for safeguarding overnight. Only once, in over seven centuries, has the ceremony not occurred, during World War II, when a local bomb knocked a couple of warders off their feet. It continues unabated to this day.

The Constable of the Tower, General The Lord Houghton, invited friends and sponsors of the Historic Royal Palaces to witness this extraordinary and colourful ritual and Coates & Seely were delighted and honoured to provide the sparkling wines to accompany the small and intimate reception afterwards.”

Unique Venues of London at the Guildhall

In celebration of their 25th anniversary, Unique Venues of London threw a truly magnificent party at London’s Guildhall.
With guests from all of the organisation’s illustrious members – which include such iconic venues as Kensington Palace, Spencer House and Tate Britain –  a party was laid on that comprised the very best of British catering and entertainment, including stunning food from Moving Venue and equally glorious floristry from Lavender Green.
All of this was washed down with lashings of Coates & Seely Rosé and Brut Reserve sparkling wines, as guests marvelled at acrobats and music provided by Sternberg Clarke, and celebrated membership of one of the most illustrious collection of event venues in the world.

http://www.guildhall.cityoflondon.gov.uk