26 May 2010 for immediate use

Vineyards in Oxfordshire and Berkshire are throwing open their cellars and vineyards for wine tastings, open days and winery tours. English Wine Week from 29 May to 6 June is a perfect time to enjoy award-winning wines from the best vineyards in the area.

In Oxfordshire the Bothy Vineyard at Frilford Heath near Abingdon has Vineyard Open Days on Bank Holiday weekend 29 to 31 May, and also 5 and 6 June. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the vineyard, join the guided tours and enjoy free tastings.

Wine makers Sian and Richard Liwicki at Bothy Vineyard have a wide range of wines. In addition to their popular still whites - Oxford Dry 2009 and Renaissance 2009 - and ros� Oxford Pink 2009, there are limited stocks of the Trophy winning medium sweet Paradox.

New wines to the range are Cote Bothy, a red wine made from a blend of red and white grapes grown on site, and Oxford Fum�, the first ever oaked white made from Bacchus grapes. Both wines are made using French oak barrels imported from Burgundy. A new sparkling white, Halcyon Days, will also be available.

Brightwell Wines at Shillingford Hill near Wallingford are celebrating winning Bronze Awards in the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2010 for white wines Brightwell Bacchus and Brightwell Oxford Flint from the 2008 vintage. Brightwell Crispin Dry 2008 won Bronze Medal in the Decanter World Wine Awards.

Carol and Bob Nielsen from Brightwell Vineyard are hosting guided tours on Sunday 30 May and Sunday 6 June. Each tour, which is suitable for all the family, starts at 3pm and includes 14 acres of vineyard and Thameside nature walk. They are also hosting an event for Slow Food Oxon group (www.slowfood-oxon.org.uk) on Sunday 6 June.

The largest vineyard in Berkshire, Stanlake Park Wine Estate near Twyford is celebrating English Wine Week with a unique Wine and Chocolate Experience in partnership with Rumsey�s Hand-made Chocolates from Thame, Oxfordshire.

Throughout the Bank Holiday weekend of 29 to 31 May there are guided tours of the vineyard and winery (�10 p/p) with tutored wine tasting and a free glass of bubbly. Stanlake Park Wine Estate is hosting an event for Slow Food Berkshire & Wiltshire group (slowfoodbw@hotmail.co.uk) on Friday 4 June.

Stanlake Park Wine Estate is launching Pinot Blush 2008 and a delicious Kir Royale, a combination of 20-year-old blackcurrant liqueur from the estate with Stanlake�s ros� and sparkling wines. The white wine Stanlake Regatta 2007 won Bronze Medal in the Decanter World Wine Awards.

All three vineyards and Rumsey�s Hand-made Chocolates are members of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire (BBO) Food Group, the only business support organisation dedicated to supporting producers of local food and drink in the area.

Tamara Schiopu, Director of BBO Food Group CIC explains: �We have some of the best wine in England grown here in the Thames Valley. English Wine Week is a great opportunity for people to visit vineyards, enjoy the delicious wines and learn more about the business of wine making.�

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Contacts BBO Food Group and Slow Food Oxon: Tamara Schiopu, Director, BBO Food Group CIC: info@local-food.net and 07795 334474 for further information and images.

Bothy Vineyard Richard and Sian Liwicki 01865 390067 www.bothyvineyard.co.uk

Brightwell Vineyard Carol and Bob Nielsen 01491 836586 www.brightwines.co.uk

Stanlake Park Wine Estate Peter Dart 0118 9340176 www.stanlakepark.com

Slow Food Berkshire & Wiltshire Clare Marriage slowfoodbw@hotmail.co.uk

Notes to Editors: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire (BBO) Food Group CIC works to: � enable as many people as possible to have access to good locally-produced food � support producers who use humane, environmentally friendly methods, sell through local retail outlets, and are of benefit to local communities � encourage retail and catering outlets (including supermarkets, shops, restaurants, hotels) to sell and use local food � initiate and support projects that enable the production and consumption of local food by local people. BBO Food Group is a Community Interest Company supported by local authorities in Berks, Bucks and Oxon, SEEDA and South East Food Group Partnership. www.local-food.net