There are few better ways to spend an Autumn evening than with a glass of wine in hand (ideally, Italian). Luckily for Londoners, Eataly London’s beloved Wine Festival is back this month. On Thursday 29th and Friday 30th October, the home of Italian food and drink in the capital, will host two evenings of walk-around wine tastings, with red, white and sparkling wines served by producers who are coming directly from Italy to share their wines with you.
What to expect
This year, wine is at the centre of it all. Head up to Eataly’s first floor and you’ll find wine stations from producers across Italy’s regions, ready to share the story behind their wines: the grapes, wineries and traditions that make their bottles unique, and how each wine reflects the land it comes from. Then, taste the differences yourself!
It’s the perfect chance to find a new favourite, and pick the brains of the people who have made it. And if something really wins you over, you’re in the right place. Eataly is home to Il Vino, the UK’s largest Italian winery, with over 2,000 labels to browse through.
Good wine needs good food, of course, and Eataly’s food counters and restaurants will be open as usual, with food available to buy separately throughout the festival. For a perfect pairing, pick up some of Eataly’s salumi e formaggi (cured meats and cheese). Or, if you’re after something more substantial, head to one of Eataly’s three restaurants, from Italian culinary staples at Pasta e Pizza to wood-fired dining at Terra by Carlo Cracco.
How it works
First, choose your evening and pick a token bundle. That’s £30 for 5 tokens, £40 for 7 tokens, £50 for 10 tokens, or £60 for 12 tokens. One token gets you a single 75ml tasting, and two get you a premium 75ml wine tasting. Each bundle comes with an Eataly wine pouch and festival wine glass, both yours to keep. Just note that everyone who wants a wine sample will need to buy a ticket.
When you arrive, you’ll receive a festival map of where to find each wine producer, so you’ll be free to make your way around and spend your tokens as you please. And if you fancy a little extra, tokens will be available on the day for £5 each!
Need to know
You can arrive any time from 5pm- 9pm, with last entry at 9pm. Wine stations close at 10pm, and some wines may run out during the festival, so you may want to get there early. And don’t forget to bring a printed or electronic copy of your ticket QR code for the team to scan on arrival.
