WinePress Restaurant at the Donnington Valley Hotel & Spa

It may be sister hotel to the acclaimed Vineyard at Stockcross, but The Donnington Valley Hotel is a destination in its own right. Its WinePress restaurant serves simple but wholesome fare along the lines of foie gras, ham hock & duck terrine or loin of lamb with boulangere potatoes & spinach. As the name suggests, the choice of wines is wide-ranging, with a good selection by the glass.

Wine List Of The Year

Wine List Of The Year Finalist

This list has the enthusiasm of a young puppy, with reasons-to-buy scattered throughout: sommelier’s recommendations, 30 wines by the glass, focuses on selected wineries. And if the tasting notes and section introductions aren’t enough to give you a flavour of sommelier Chris Neeves’ personality, there’s even a full-page cartoon of him. So yes, quirky and lively, but all clearly aimed at encouraging trial.