The new taste of summer: Mindful Chef pairs England’s most exciting wines with seasonal, feel-good cooking

A truly joyful celebration of English wine and the magic of flavour pairing, bringing the best of British soil to your table.

Curated by wine expert Jane Rakison, showcasing standout producers from vineyard to city winery

Available exclusively from 20th – 28th June 2026

his summer is shaping up to be a true celebration of what’s on our doorstep. As more people embrace slower travel and stay closer to home, there’s never been a better moment to discover the depth of quality, craft and flavour coming from British producers, especially in the world of English wine.

To mark English Wine Week (20th – 28th June 2026) Mindful Chef, the UK’s highest-rated recipe box, has partnered with wine expert Jane Rakison to showcase the magic that happens when great food meets the right wine. The collaboration brings together fresh, seasonal recipes with carefully selected bottles from vineyards across England.

Rooted in a shared passion for championing local producers, the menu celebrates the very best of British soil, from responsibly sourced ingredients to world-class wines. By bringing together food and wine grown and made closer to home, each dish offers a more connected experience, linking the people at the table with the producers behind every element.

Designed to be shared and savoured, each dish encourages long, relaxed meals, where great conversation sits alongside a deeper appreciation of the craft and provenance behind every bite.

English wine is having a moment. With production rising sharply and over 1,000 vineyards now across the UK, producers are crafting bottles that are not only distinctive but globally competitive. England’s cool climate continues to create wines with bright acidity and freshness, ideal for pairing with vibrant, seasonal dishes.

This limited-edition menu captures that energy and diversity, showcasing wines from some of England’s most exciting regions. From crisp coastal whites to elegant sparkling wines from Dorset and West Sussex, and lighter-style reds from an innovative urban winery in London, each bottle has been chosen to complement and enhance Mindful Chef’s dishes, proving just how versatile and food-friendly English wine can be.

Highlights include Langham’s Corallian Classic Cuvée NV, an elegant sparkling from Dorset, and Nyetimber’s limited-edition English Summer Rosé, which reflects the flavours of English wild strawberries and raspberries. The menu also spotlights boundary-pushing producers such as Black Book in London, whose lighter English reds offer a fresh take on classic pairings.

Each recipe has been created by Leiths-trained Head Chef Jesse Kempner, using a selection of seasonal ingredients and Mindful Chef’s signature approach to balanced, nourishing cooking. The result is a menu designed not just to taste great, but to feel good too, with dishes that are fresh, flavour-packed and perfectly matched to their wine counterparts.

Standout pairings include samphire-baked salmon with herby potato salad, elevated by a crisp English sparkling that enhances fresh herb notes while cutting through the richness of the fish. Meanwhile, Somerset pork meatball fusilli with sundried tomato sauce and rocket pesto is paired with a lighter English red - a combination that brings out the depth and complexity of both dish and wine.

At its heart, the menu is about rediscovering joy in the kitchen by removing the guesswork from pairing and helping home cooks confidently create meals where every bite and every sip work in harmony.

Jane Rakison, wine expert, told That's Food and Drink: “English wine is incredibly exciting right now, not just because of its quality, but because of how well the various styles work with food. 

"What we’ve created here is all about unlocking those flavour combinations. From elegant sparkling wines that lift fresh, herb-led dishes, to lighter reds that pair beautifully with comforting classics, these wines really come into their own at the table. 

"With more people staying closer to home this summer, it’s the perfect time to explore just how versatile and world-class English wine can be.”

Jesse Kempner, Head Chef at Mindful Chef, told us: “This menu is all about showing how great ingredients with the right pairings can completely transform a meal. We’ve focused on creating dishes centred around  fresh, seasonal produce, and have matched them with English wines to elevate the flavours, and balance the different elements on the plate. 

"It’s about creating an accessible and easy restaurant-quality experience at home, while celebrating the incredible producers we have here in the UK.”

Dishes on the Mindful Chef wine pairing menu are available from 20–28 June 2026.

Mindful Chef’s wine pairing menu:

Langham Corallian Classic Cuvee NV (Dorset) with Samphire Baked Salmon & Herby Potato Salad

Nyetimber English Summer Rosé (West Sussex) with Roasted Vegetable Gnocchi with Sundried Tomato & Walnut Pesto

Lyme Bay Shoreline (Devon)with Nicoise-style Anchovy Salad 

Stopham Estate Pinot Gris 2023 (West Sussex)with Honeyed Chorizo & Sweetcorn Salad with Caramelised Onions

Black Book Drums Space 2022 (London) with Pork Meatball Fusilli with Sundried Tomato Sauce & Rocket Pesto.

How it works

Choose from 28 meals for 1, 2 or 4 people.

Select delivery day and frequency: skip a week, cancel anytime, or change deliveries.

Ingredients arrive pre-portioned, reducing prep time, waste and stress.

Recipes are easy to follow and can be cooked in as little as 20 minutes.

Pricing and delivery

One-person meals from £11.85 per portion

Two-person meals from £6.90 per portion

Family meals from £4.50 per portion

New customers receive 30% off their first four boxes plus free delivery on their first box. Delivery is an additional £5.99, available 7 days a week across mainland UK, with Wednesday delivery to the Channel Islands and Northern Ireland.

mindfulchef.com 

Want to give your Dad one of the best Father's Day gifts he has ever had? Present him with a Father's Day easy celebration at home would be great to include Mindful Chef's new wine pairing menu. The menu runs from 20th - 28th June so is perfect for Father's Day dinners at home for a delicious home-cooked treat away from set restaurant menus. You can even send him a gift card so he can create his own special menu. https://www.mindfulchef.com/gift-cards 

SW16 Bar & Kitchen Puts English Wine in the Spotlight This English Wine Week

Streatham Hill's favourite neighbourhood restaurant, SW16 Bar & Kitchen, is making some waves this English Wine Week with a bold celebration of British vineyards and seasonal British produce, showcasing how a local restaurant can redefine destination dining.

Once a modest bar on Streatham Hill, SW16 has evolved into one of South London's most exciting culinary spots. 

Led by 25-year-old hospitality rising star Tom Small, the restaurant has built a well-deserved reputation for heartfelt service, sustainability, and honest, flavour driven food that speaks for itself.

Now, with a bespoke tasting menu and curated wine pairings featuring standout producers such as Hundred Hills, Whitewolfe Estate, and Davenport Vineyards, SW16 is bringing English wine to the forefront of the local dining scene.

“We've gone from barely stocking English wines to proudly serving Welsh orange wine and Cornish Pinot Noir,” Small told That's Food and Drink.

“What's exciting now is the story behind each bottle, family businesses, biodynamic pioneers, vineyards thriving thanks to climate change. This is wine worth that's well worth discovering.”

Guests can enjoy a special two or three course tasting menu created by Head Chef Teddy Karkut, paired with Tom's handpicked selection of English wines. The menu, which includes standout dishes including scallop ceviche and british rump steak, captures the essence of SW16's ethos: seasonal, Quality ingredients and always local.

SW16 has recently gained acclaim for its monthly Italian Supper Club:

“SW16 is already a beloved local spot, but this supper club made it feel like a destination.”

“The Supper Club, Offers locals another reason to fall in love with this restaurant”

“SW16 is a dining spot hidden gem”  

This same energy is being poured into English Wine Week, a showcase not just of great bottles, but of a restaurant pushing boundaries in local dining. 

With intelligent, thoughtful pairings, a focus on independent producers, and a commitment to genuine hospitality, SW16 is proving that you don't have to leave your postcode for a world class food and wine experience.

Tom Small is available share his expertise and comment on:

English Red - Is it worth it?

How English farmers are selling livestock and planting vines. Climate change and how it's already begun to change our agriculture.

English wine, is it genuinely accessible for the restaurant trade?

The English obsession with wine. Why do we have more Masters of Wine than anywhere else in the world?

Wine influencers, and why they're important for the new generation of wine rookies, geeks and fledgling sommeliers. 

https://sw16barandkitchen.com

Candover Brook marks English Wine Week with its powerful film on regenerative viticulture

Candover Brook, an award-winning vineyard in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, is proud to mark English Wine Week 2025 with the release of its new short film, "A Year in the Life of a Vineyard," a cinematic glimpse into its purposeful approach to regenerative viticulture.

Spanning just five hectares, Candover Brook harbours no ambition of being the biggest, only the best at working in harmony with nature. Founded on a commitment to soil health, biodiversity, and slow, sustainable excellence, the vineyard is redefining what it means to produce English sparkling wine with purpose.

The film follows the vineyard through the seasons, capturing the quiet rhythm of regenerative farming and the life it nurtures both above and below ground. A Year in the Life of a Vineyard was made by renowned British documentary maker Jess Bassett, who spent a year following the vineyard team.

Candover Brook co-owner Mark Sainsbury said, “Working with Jess was a complete joy and we are delighted with the outcome. It's a proud feeling to see our hard work and passion captured in such a beautiful film. We hope that our respect for the land and our community connects us and our award-winning wines to a new audience.”

Screenings are being held at select venues that share Candover Brook’s values of craft, care, and conscious living. Later this year, the film will be available on the vineyard’s newly launched YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@candoverbrook), which offers an inside look at this rare and remarkable estate.

With limited production and award-winning vintages already attracting attention, Candover Brook is one to watch, and now, one to watch on screen.

More information at www.candoverbrook.co.uk or on social media @candoverbrook.

Celebrating English Wine Week: A Journey Through Vineyards and Vintages

As the summer sun (in theory!) casts its warm glow across the verdant countryside, there is no better time to celebrate English Wine Week. 

This annual event, typically held in late June, showcases the burgeoning wine industry in England, highlighting its growing reputation for producing world-class wines. 

Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or a curious novice, English Wine Week offers an array of activities and experiences to deepen your appreciation for this blossoming sector.

The Rise of English Wine

Once considered an underdog in the global wine market, English wine has come a long way in recent decades. The combination of climate change, which has extended the growing season, and advancements in viticulture and winemaking techniques have contributed to the success of English wines. Today, English sparkling wines are particularly celebrated, often rivalling the best Champagnes in international competitions.

Exploring the Vineyards

English Wine Week is the perfect opportunity to visit some of the country's picturesque vineyards. Spread across regions such as Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, and Cornwall, these vineyards offer guided tours, tastings, and the chance to meet the passionate winemakers behind the labels. Whether you prefer the crisp acidity of a classic Bacchus or the elegant bubbles of a traditional method sparkling wine, there is something to suit every palate.

Must-Visit Vineyards:

Nyetimber - Located in the heart of West Sussex, Nyetimber is renowned for its exceptional sparkling wines. Their vineyard tours provide a comprehensive look at their meticulous production process.

Chapel Down - Situated in Kent, Chapel Down offers a range of wines, from aromatic whites to rich reds. Their guided tours include tastings and the opportunity to explore their beautiful grounds.

Camel Valley - Nestled in the rolling hills of Cornwall, Camel Valley is famous for its award-winning sparkling wines. Their relaxed tours and tastings are a great way to enjoy the scenic surroundings.

Events and Activities

Throughout English Wine Week, various events and activities take place across the country, designed to celebrate and promote English wines. From wine-pairing dinners and masterclasses to open vineyard days and pop-up tastings, there is no shortage of ways to get involved.

Highlighted Events:

Wine Masterclasses - Learn from the experts with in-depth sessions on wine tasting, food pairings, and the unique characteristics of English wines.

Pop-Up Tastings - Discover new favourites at pop-up events in cities and towns, often featuring multiple wineries in one location.

Vineyard Picnics - Enjoy a leisurely afternoon with a picnic among the vines, complete with a bottle of local wine and a selection of regional delicacies.

Supporting Local Producers

By participating in English Wine Week, you are not only indulging in delightful wines but also supporting local producers and the rural economy. Many English wineries are family-owned businesses that play a vital role in their communities. Your patronage helps sustain these enterprises and encourages the continued growth and innovation of the English wine industry.

Conclusion

English Wine Week is a celebration of the remarkable progress and achievements of English winemakers. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the vineyards, taste a diverse range of wines, and learn about the fascinating journey from grape to glass. So, raise a glass to English Wine Week and toast to the vibrant future of English viticulture. Cheers!

Swedish-Owned Sussex Wine Wins Trophy in Top Wine Competition

Busi Jacobsohn is an English Sparkling Wine producer in the High Weald of East Sussex, and is making dazzling wines and all from estate-grown fruit.

Today the debut vintage of Busi Jacobsohn's Blanc de Noirs 2018 has been announced as the winner of the Sparkling Wine Trophy at the Independent English Wine Awards (IEWA) 2023.

Chair of the judges and Master of Wine Liam Steevenson MW described it as "Absolutely stunning and perhaps the best fizz from anywhere I have tasted this year."

The Blanc de Noirs 2018 also performed brilliantly at this year's International Wine Challenge, bagging another Gold medal there.

Estate owner Susannah Busi Jacobsohn, when asked how this achievement ranked on a scale of 1 to 10, said simply "11"!

Susanna and her husband Douglas Jacobsohn planted the vineyard in 2015, and since then have been winning many awards for their wines. But this latest trophy is the greatest to date.

Busi Jacobsohn Blanc de Noirs 2018  £48, is available at Yapp.co.uk, Harvey Nichols, busijacobsohn.com.