Forget hushed tasting rooms and complicated wine rules. On Friday 20th and Saturday 21st November 2026, Laithwaites Wine Festival is serving up a livelier way to discover wine.
Whether you know your Sauvignon Blanc from your Verdejo or simply know what you enjoy, Laithwaites Wine Festival is an opportunity to broaden your wine horizons. You’ll be able to taste more than 300 wines, meet the people behind them and explore artisan food stands, expert-led tastings and more.
First-time festivalgoers and experienced wine lovers alike will find plenty to discover – here’s what you can expect.
Meet the winemakers pouring at the festival
Credit: Laithwaites
You don’t need to know your way around a wine list to get involved. With more than 40 producers from 17 countries taking part, the festival offers the chance to try something new, ask questions and find out what you genuinely enjoy.
We caught up with three of the winemakers taking part for a glimpse of the stories – and pours – you can discover on the day.
The English wine with a Brazilian beat
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Founded by Brazilian-born America and her English husband, Nick Brewer, Oastbrook Estate Vineyard is challenging expectations of English wine. Its warm Sussex microclimate allows the pair to create distinctive still wines with complex aromas, texture and body – all from grapes grown right next to the winery.
New to Oastbrook? America describes its star pour in three words: “aromatic, textured, unique”. More seasoned wine lovers can ask how the vineyard makes its Blanc de Noirs completely clear, without even a hint of pink.
Taste this: Oastbrook Pinot Meunier, which stood out during a tasting alongside older and considerably more expensive bottles. Wine writer Matthew Jukes called it “one of the most enthralling and magical wines I have ever tasted made solely from this grape variety”.
The Portuguese producer pouring a country’s worth of variety
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Portugal may be a relatively small country, but its wines span an enormous range of grapes, landscapes and styles. As Head Winemaker at Casa Santos Lima, Vasco Martins works with everything from the fresh, Atlantic-influenced whites of Vinho Verde to rich Lisboa reds and elegant, mineral whites from the Douro.
The country is home to more than 250 indigenous grape varieties, many of which are found nowhere else. Speak to Vasco at the festival and you can discover how different soils, altitudes and climates allow the same grape to take on a completely different character.
Taste this: Stones & Bones Red, a rich and expressive blend that captures the character of Lisboa while offering excellent value. If you want to discover what modern Portuguese wine is all about, this is the bottle to try.
The Kiwi wine that made history
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Hunter’s Winery made history at the 1986 London Sunday Times Wine Festival, where its 1985 Fumé Blanc was named Best in Show by the judges and public on each of the event’s three days. According to Executive Director Jane Hunter, CNZM, OBE, it was the first New Zealand wine to win an award in the UK, attracting political telegrams, television interviews and national press coverage as the country’s wine exports began to take off.
Taste this: Hunter’s Home Block Sauvignon Blanc, a standout bottle shaped by 40 years of experience producing the style.
What to expect at Laithwaites Manchester Wine Festival
Credit: Laithwaites Wine
Laithwaites Manchester Wine Festival takes over Manchester Central on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st November 2026, bringing together more than 300 wines and over 40 producers from 17 countries. Tastings at every stand are included in your ticket price, giving you the chance to revisit old favourites and discover something new. For those looking to deepen their knowledge, you can upgrade your experience with one of three expert-led masterclasses for just £10 per person.
Alongside the main tasting stands, you can explore artisan food stands, English sparkling wines and luxury spirits, with interactive sessions and expert-led experiences taking place throughout the event. Tickets start from £40.
Join the Laithwaites Wine Festival
From a history-making New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to expressive wines from Sussex and Portugal, every bottle has something to reveal. Meet the producers, taste more than 300 wines and find a new favourite at Laithwaites Manchester Wine Festival.
