A ‘vine’ way to spend a long weekend Unwind with more than just a glass of wine at beautiful country hotel
STYLE AND SUBSTANCE As its name suggests, The Vineyard at Stockcross, near Newbury, has an incredible wine list. Rumoured to be one of the longest in the country, it’s home to almost 30,000 individual bottles.
It’s no surprise that entrepreneur owner, Sir Peter Michael, has his own winery in Sonoma Valley, California.
He’s clearly an art lover too, as the walls of Sir Peter’s hotel are adorned with pieces by Henry Martin, Ronald Searle, Boris Smirnoff, Doris Zinkeisen – and a massive mural, featuring the man himself, marks the 40th anniversary of the blind tasting known as the Judgement of Paris. SLEEPING MATTERS Each of the 49 rooms is named after an iconic international wine and suites range from chic contemporary to country house-style, with fireplaces, cosy wooden furniture and sash windows revealing the manicured grounds.
There are REN products in the marble bathroom, with fluffy robes and an enormous bath - and some of the most comfortable beds you will ever sleep in. FOOD FOR THOUGHT A five-course tasting menu by head chef Robby Jenks, with wine specially matched by head sommelier Romain Bourger, is the highlight of any stay. You’re in good hands: Bourger won UK Young Sommelier of the Year for 2016. The Discovery Tasting Menu is £79 (wine pairings extra), with standout dishes including the melt-in-the-mouth Fillet of Halibut, with parsley, mussels and sea herbs, all topped off with a perfectly balanced mix of sweet and tart in the Rhubarb Parfait, with rice pudding and maple syrup. During spring, peas, broad beans, morel mushrooms, wild garlic and asparagus all feature in dishes - and there’s a vegetarian tasting menu available too.
Dinner is served on a mezzanine overlooking the hotel’s artfully lit front garden, and ambience is provided care of a pianist, who segues seamlessly from Abba’s Thank You For The Music to Edith Piaf ’s La Vie En Rose. SPA MATTERS The Vineyard’s secondary pleasure is its spa - guests can lounge by the circular pool, which has swan massage jets and a current machine, then take a dip in the Jacuzzi. If you’re there all day, you can enjoy a special spa menu of light lunch and drinks in the relaxation area around the pool. Signature treatments include the oh-so relaxing Hot Stone Ritual (£80 for 55 minutes), a massage using hot