Traditional country skills and regenerative food take centre stage at Amber Valley Vineyards
Amber Valley Vineyards is inviting guests to experience a unique celebration of traditional country skills, exceptional local food and English wine this September, with a special Country Wild Butchery Evening hosted in partnership with Derbyshire’s renowned Butlers Pantry and celebrated chef Ralph Skripek, better known throughout the region as The Wild Chef.
Taking place on Saturday 26 September, the event reflects the vineyard’s wider philosophy of working with nature rather than against it. From regenerative vineyard management and traditional orchards to species-rich meadows and wildlife habitats, Amber Valley Vineyards has developed a landscape where farming, food production and biodiversity exist side by side.
“Our philosophy has always been to produce food and drink that reflects the landscape it comes from,” said Barry Lewis, Managing Director of Amber Valley Vineyards. “We’re not trying to recreate the past, but there is enormous value in rediscovering traditional country skills that encourage us to respect our food, understand where it comes from and make full use of every animal and every harvest.”
The evening will begin with a live butchery demonstration, during which guests will see a whole wild animal expertly prepared while learning about traditional butchery techniques, the different cuts of meat and how skilled preparation ensures as little as possible goes to waste. It is an opportunity to reconnect with knowledge that was once commonplace in the countryside but is now rarely seen.
The demonstration will be followed by a relaxed open-fire feast created by Ralph Skripek, whose reputation as The Wild Chef has made him one of the Midlands’ leading ambassadors for wild game cookery. A classically trained chef, Ralph has spent decades promoting locally sourced produce through food and country fairs, cookery demonstrations and events across the region. He is also a passionate advocate for sustainable wild food, country pursuits and making game more accessible to home cooks. (Butlers Pantry Derby)
Throughout the evening, dishes will be paired with a selection of Amber Valley Vineyards’ own award-winning English wines and traditional ciders, all produced from fruit grown in Derbyshire and England. Amber Valley wines own fruit is grown using regenerative principles that place soil health, biodiversity and long-term stewardship at the heart of production.
Barry Lewis added:
“People increasingly want authentic food experiences. They want to know who grew the food, who made the wine, why it tastes the way it does and how the landscape influences everything on the plate and in the glass. This evening brings all of those things together. It’s about provenance, craftsmanship and celebrating the richness of the Derbyshire countryside.”
The event forms part of Amber Valley Vineyards’ growing programme of food, drink and countryside experiences, which showcase local producers, traditional rural skills and the increasingly recognised quality of English wine.
Event Details
Country Wild Butchery Evening
Saturday 26 September
Arrival from 5.00pm for a 5.30pm start
Amber Valley Vineyards, Wessington, Derbyshire
Tickets: £65 per person
Places are limited and advance booking is essential.
For further information and bookings visit
www.ambervalleyvineyards.co.uk
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