Calling all wine-lovers. Matfen Hall has upped its four-star offering with exclusive new wine tasting events to entertain and excite your palate.

Following months of anticipated renovations, Matfen Hall has opened its doors once again – this time with the addition of intimate wine tasting events for guests and corporate groups.

Portfolio North Director, Cassie Moyse, attended the hotel’s most recent vinofocused gathering.

Set in over 300 acres of parkland in rural Northumberland, Matfen Hall sits against a stunning backdrop and cuts an impressive figure in the countryside skyline. The boutique hotel has undergone significant transformation and reopened for guests in April of this year.

Their wine tasting events are designed to showcase the vast collection of exclusive wines on offer within its walls, while also providing a history and provenance of the estate and the wines that have been collected over the years.

Armed with an impressive wine cellar hidden under the Great Hall, the team at Matfen are well-equipped with a vast range of unique worldwide wines to pair with its renowned food offering. The evening was held in the hotel’s Emerald Restaurant – a beautiful setting with views across the parkland. The room has recently undergone a facelift, along with the rest of the hotel, but the traditional features and atmosphere remain unchanged, ensuring a grand ambiance and backdrop, steeped in history.

With green furnishings and large bay windows, the calming nature of the room extends out into the grounds outside. The high wood ceilings and gold detailing ensure the room feels grand and
luxurious.

The event was an intimate affair, enhanced by the expertise of Matfen Hall’s sommelier. The meal consisted of a delicious tasting menu, with each course paired with a specially-chosen wine from around the world. The six-course menu included ingredients from local producers and farmers, too.

Each wine pairing complemented the individual courses, with bottles from Spain, Portugal and France offered to the evening’s guests. The evening was relaxed and friendly and the wine choices proved incredibly popular, with many sparking insightful discussions about the different tasting notes the night’s grapes delivered and which vineyards they hailed from.

The staff were remarkably knowledgeable and provided plenty of information and fun facts about the wines and local food ingredients. Following our final cheese course, we enjoyed a walk around the hotel’s grounds. With over 300 surrounding acres, Matfen Hall is perfectly hidden away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Ponteland. Peace and tranquillity travels in and out of the venue, across its gardens and impressive golf course.

To top off the evening, we enjoyed an overnight stay to fully immerse ourselves in the hotel’s facilities and splendour. Those who were lucky enough to live within 20 miles of the hotel, however, enjoyed their very own chauffeur ride home after their last drops of wine. A special added extra, courtesy of the hotel, to make its wine tasting events extra special.

Our bedroom was one of the hotel’s luxury suites, recently refurbished to a high standard. With a spacious living area, Emperor-sized bed, marble baths and large chandelier, it lived up to its name. The epitome of luxury and a fantastic place to relax in, within the grandeur of the hotel. When we arrived, we were greeted by a bottle of champagne and Lauden Chocolates, adding a special VIP touch to our stay and helping us draw to a close what was a fantastic and memorable tasting event for a selection of the region’s lucky wine-lovers.

Matfen Hall, which is owned by the Walwick Estate Group, was recently nominated for ‘Best Interior Hotel Renovation’, following a multimillion- pound investment. The Grade II listed building underwent an impressive transformation, including a meticulous restoration of its Great Hall.
Additional dining areas have been created for guests, with the new mezzanine bar and Cloisters Restaurant being served by a state-of-the-art kitchen.

For more information on Matfen Hall, visit matfenhall.com