THE Dorset Seafood Festival is to return to Weymouth with a new feature this year: an English Wine Garden.

Now in its third year at the Weymouth Peninsula site, the long-running event – also known as ‘Seafeast’ – returns over the weekend of September 9 – 10 - and will continue to champion Dorset produce for 2023.

The popular annual festival attracts some of the country’s top chefs and seafood producers. Organisers say the wine garden will be a ‘captivating’ focal point of this year’s event and will showcase the best of Dorset sparkling wine.

Three prestigious local wine producers - Bride Valley, Furleigh Estate, and Langham- will collaborate, ‘allowing festival-goers to indulge in the region's finest sparkling wines while immersing themselves in a world of seafood delights.’    

A spokesperson for the event said that attendees will be able to relax in the garden's inviting ambiance, “enjoying a spot of seafood and watching the world go by.”

Renowned wine expert and author, Susy Atkins, is part of the festival line up, showcasing the brands on stage and offering attendees the opportunity to participate in talks and tastings. Susy will delve into the art and science of winemaking, exploring the distinctive characteristics of Dorset's sparkling wines, and speaking with a representative from each winery on what sets their particular wines apart. 

Susy Atkins said: “English sparkling wine has never tasted so good or been so widely admired – and Dorset is where some of the most exciting wineries are located. So I’m hugely looking forward to tasting the wines of Bride Valley, Furleigh and Langham wineries at this year’s Dorset Seafood Festival and enjoying a glass of home-grown fizz in the new English Wine Garden area.”

Bella Spurrier of Bride Valley said: "We are thrilled to be a part of the inaugural 'English Wine Garden' at Seafeast - Dorset Seafood Festival. This collaboration is a testament to the exceptional quality and diversity of Dorset's sparkling wines. We look forward to sharing our passion  with festival-goers and showcasing the incredible talent of our region."

Lisa Ellingham from Furleigh Estate said: "The English Wine Garden’ is an exciting addition to this year's festival. We are excited to collaborate with our esteemed colleagues and share our wines with an enthusiastic audience. This garden will undoubtedly be a highlight for wine connoisseurs and seafood lovers alike."

Calum Chance of Langham said: “We’re excited to help showcase some of Dorset’s most exceptional produce – fresh seafood and quality sparkling wines. The ‘English Wine Garden’ is an exciting addition to Seafeast and we couldn’t be more proud to celebrate Dorset’s farming and fishing communities with our fellow producers.”

This will be the third year that the seafood festival has been a ticketed event. Tickets cost £10 per adult per day, with a discounted rate for locals on the Sunday - the discount is available to those living in DT3, DT4 and DT5 postcodes.

Children under 16 are free of charge.

To find out more or book tickets visit www.dorsetseafood.co.uk/book/ - booking in advance is advisable as tickets are limited.

Find the Dorset Seafood Festival on social media: Twitter @dorsetseafood or Facebook: Dorset Seafood Festival or on Instagram @dorsetseafoodfest