AWARD-winning wine producers are to feature at the inaugural Wine Festival in Winchester this weekend.

Jenkyn Place and Danebury Vineyards will exhibit at the festival – the first to be held in the city – along with three competitors under the Hampshire wine producer banner.

The event is the brainchild of married couple Peter Richards and Susie Barrie – of BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen fame – and will be held at the Guildhall from November 21-23.

Camilla Bladon from Jenkyn Place, who will be showcasing their 2010 Brut Cuvée, said: “We are very much looking forward to exhibiting at Wine Festival Winchester and showing visitors just how good our Hampshire wines are. Winchester itself is very much a food destination and we’re confident that people will love them and be tempted to stock up on English sparkling wine to celebrate Christmas with.”

Danebury Vineyards will have their Madeleine Angevine 2011 on show.

Caroline Stevens, of Danebury Vineyards, said: “It’s a great idea to have a festival with a local focus. Many of our customers are based in Hampshire, including some of the county’s top restaurants and we’re looking forward to introducing people to our wines and seeing the surprised look on their faces when they realise just how good English wine can be.”

Other Hampshire wine producers sharing a stand with Jenkyn Place and Danebury Vineyards include Cottonworth, Hambledon and Meonhill. Hattingley Valley, also Hampshire-based, will be exhibiting at the event too.

Local retailers Toscanaccio, The Wine Butler, The Naked Grape, Caviste, Berry Bros & Rudd, Stone, Vine & Sun, Grape Expectations and Wine Utopia, will be exhibiting at the event as well as a number of wine producers from around the world.

Tickets cost £25 per person, per session. There will be four sessions running over the three days – Friday: 6-9pm VIP Launch at £35, Saturday: 11am-3pm and 4-8pm and Sunday: 12-4pm.

For a special 20 per cent discount use the code WFWFLYER2014 when ordering tickets at thewinefestival.co.uk.