Our visit to WineAlive Big Christmas Wine Festival. Hundreds of wines to sample, masterclasses, and the chance to mingle with fellow wine lovers and producers.
Last weekend, we were invited to attend WineAlive’s Big Christmas Wine Festival at Lindley Hall, Royal Horticultural Halls in London. The event, which ran over 21–22 November 2025, offered three sessions (Friday evening, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday early evening), giving wine lovers a chance to drop in, chat, and taste their way through hundreds of bottles.
Quick Peek Inside WineAlive
This is more than just wine tasting as the small and intimate venue gives you have a chance to ask questions and rub shoulders with wine experts Oz Clarke, Olly Smith and Tim Atkin MW. You might remember these events under their former name, Three Wine Men, but in 2025 they rebranded as WineAlive. And while the name may have changed, the concept remains exactly the same.
Just a stone’s throw away from Victoria, Lindley Hall sits within the Royal Horticultural Halls, a stunning Grade II listed building famed for its impressive glass-vaulted ceiling. Not too formal, but definitely classy.
The Main Tasting Experience
Upon arrival we were given a wine glass each, as well as event guide, organised by producer and listing all the wines available to taste at each table as well as UK stockist details.
Included in the ticket price, were 600 wines available to try. Something for every palate, from reds, whites, rosés, sparkling, sweet, fortified as well as whisky, gin, rum, and no- and low-alcohol options.
As we walked through the show, exhibitors from all over the world were there, ranging from well-known labels to small, independent producers. We really enjoyed hearing the stories behind some of the bottles, what makes them special, how the grapes were grown, and what inspired the winemakers.
You could also snap some exclusive show offers, the perfect excuse to pick up some festive bottles or discover wines you wouldn’t normally buy.
Perfect pair with wine, Paxton & Whitfield provided some delicious artisan cheese platters and finger foods.
Masterclasses
One of the highlights of WineAlive are the masterclasses (all held on each of the three sessions of the show). The masterclasses need to be booked separately and are not included in the show ticket prices but are worth attending if you like if you want more of an in-depth experience:
- Tim Atkin MW led a session called A Wine Journey through North-West Spain, exploring six wines from Castilla y León (such as Ribera del Duero, Rueda, Toro, Bierzo and more.
- Olly Smith hosted Sparkling Wines of the World with his 6 top choices from Champagne to English Sparkling to South Africa’s Cap Classique.
- Oz Clarke took on the Pioneering Californian Wines of J Lohr with a journey through the vineyards of Monterey, Paso Robles, and Napa Valleys.
My Highlights
Full disclosure. We didn’t manage to try every single wine on offer, but a few standout producers and bottles truly caught our attention and deserved a special mention. And yes, I am partial to French and Italian wines. But I also love to hear the stories behind the labels and talk to people who are passionate about what they do.
Here are some of the ones that caught our attention:
Plaimont
Plaimont is a cooperative of wine estates and châteaux in south-west France, founded in 1979. Its vineyards span the foothills of the Pyrenees and the rolling landscapes of Gascony (south-east of Bordeaux), covering thousands of hectares.
The group prides itself on blending centuries-old viticultural traditions with modern winemaking techniques. While the vineyards are not certified organic, they are cultivated using agriculture raisonnée, a sustainable approach that limits intervention and respects the environment. The wines are made primarily from long-established indigenous grape varieties, naturally well adapted to the local soils and microclimates, and often more resistant to disease and local weather, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
The result is a diverse portfolio of wines for different tastes and budgets that reflects the terroir and heritage of southwest France.
Amongst my personal favourites were Saint Mont Les Vignes Retrouvées 2022, a dry and full-bodied white available from The Wine Society …
… and Le Faîte, its flagship wine, available in white or red. This white is listed in Olly Smith’s WINE: Everything You Need to Know as one of the 30 Wines To Try Before You Die, and yes.. it’s really good !
Especially Puglia
Especially Puglia goes beyond wines and I really love its concept. Again this is a cooperative of small producers, founded by Michele Ladarola with the aim of introducing the rich culinary traditions of his native region, Puglia in southern Italy, to food and wine lovers around the world. Its concept is based on sustainable practices, small-batch production and short, transparent supply chains.
Especially Puglia’s wine selection is concise but nice. As member of Slow Food, it runs ‘adoption programs’ whereby you can adopt a vineyard, olive tree, beehive etc.. as well as catering and events all centered on the cuisine of Puglia.
Monastrell
Monastrell is an ancient grape variety long cultivated in the south-eastern Spain area (mainly from Alicante and Murcia) by monks in their monastery vineyards. Traditionally known for producing strong, powerful red wines, it is now increasingly used to create lighter-style reds and fresh, vibrant rosés.
This hardy grape thrives in hot, dry conditions, and in the context of climate change and rising global temperatures, it is widely seen as a variety with a very bright future.
Santa Tresa
Santa Tresa is an organic Sicilian winery based around the commune of Vittoria in south-east Sicily. Santa Tresa grows indigenous Sicilian grape-varieties such as Frappato, Nero d’Avola and Grillo but also non-native varieties (for example, Viognier) that have adapted well to the local terroir.
The estate relies on rainwater irrigation rather than soil drainage, and natural fertilisers are used, ensuring the vines remain healthy and sustainable while respecting the local ecosystem.
Kleine Zalze
Still dreaming of our summer holidays in South Africa, we had to stop by Kleine Zalze‘s table, a winery dating back to 1692 and based just outside Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands. Their wine portfolio covers a wide range: from approachable, fruit-driven everyday wines to premium, terroir-driven bottles.
The Naughty Grape
The Naughty Grape is a UK‑based wine retailer and importer that specialises in wines from Slovakia. Curating wines from small, family‑run Slovak vineyards. The Naughty Grape emphasises authenticity and integrity, and sources wines that practise sustainable, low‑intervention or organic winemaking. Perfect if you are looking for something off the beaten path.
Dffrnt
If I am in the mood for something non-alcoholic, I often turn to kombucha. And Dffrnt definitely deserves a mention. The range includes several distinct flavours (for example “Sacred Sprig,” “Tangle Shrub,” and “Treacle Leaf”), each slow-brewed using organic tea leaves, botanicals, raw cane sugar, filtered water with no artificial additives, preservatives, flavourings or added CO₂; each bottle is naturally fizzy from fermentation.
Nothing too fruity or sweet, the flavour profiles range from herbaceous & citrusy to floral & light, or rich and smoky, hence perfect to have with a meal. Thoughtful, healthy, and conscious.
Winewizard
Winewizard is a “smart wine aerator” that improve wine taste and softens tannins in seconds by injecting micro-oxygen into the wine. I was skeptical at first (looked more like a party trick than anything else), but it actually works! The sleek aluminium canister looks the part too and the refills are recyclable.
The difference is noticeable: wines become smoother, more balanced, and gain added flavour and complexity. It is well worth the investment, as even modestly priced bottles can get a real boost and be transformed to something more refined (and yes, it still doubles as an impressive party trick!)
All in all, WineAlive’s Big Christmas Wine Festival really hit the mark for festive, fun, and educational wine drinking. If you love wine (even just a little), you walk away having discovered new favourites, learned something special from experts, and perhaps stocked up for the holidays.
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