This year’s masterclass, always a highlight of the Vineyard & Winery Show, will be held as a tribute to wine writer and former masterclass host Matthew Jukes following his sad death on 6 August this year.

The tribute will be led by renowned wine experts Tom Surgey and Henry Jeffreys. The masterclass at the Kent County Showground will not only see the two experts deliver their verdicts on six of their favourite wines, but will also mark their introduction as Vineyard’s newest contributors.

The magazine is delighted to be welcoming the expert duo as wine columnists and is thrilled that they are popping the cork on that new link-up by jointly hosting the masterclass.

“In Tom and Henry we believe we have an excellent team to take forward the masterclass at the show,” explained magazine publisher and show organiser Jamie McGrorty.

In another tribute to Matthew, this year’s show will also see the presentation of a new award, the Matthew Jukes Trophy for Vineyard magazine Wine of The Year.

Aimed at selecting the standout wine that has featured in Vineyard magazine during the year, the award will be judged by Tom and Henry with the trophy winner announced for the first time during the Masterclass.

Tickets are already selling fast for Tom and Henry’s first double-hander masterclass, which will continue Matthew’s tradition of donating the proceeds from ticket sales to the Drinks Trust charity.

This year’s masterclass will feature wines recently reviewed by the magazine’s new contributors, with Henry having penned his first column for the November issue and Tom writing for Vineyard in December.

Henry, the author of four books, including the critically acclaimed, award-winning Vines in a cold climate: the people behind the English wine revolution, is focusing on Ortega in his November column. Describing Ortega as “the grape for all seasons” Henry will be showcasing the unique quality of:

  • Denbies Late Harvest Ortega 2025,
  • Biddenden Vineyards Ortega Chapter 57 2025
  • Westwell Ortega 2025.

Tom, whose debut book How to Drink Wine was published in August 2024, is a well-known wine communicator and drinks trade professional who is in demand as a presenter on television, radio and at live events. He has promised that his contribution to the masterclass will shine a spotlight on those who are innovative and unconventional. He added by way of explanation that his December column and masterclass choices would consider the idea that “what appears foolhardy today might prove to be inspired tomorrow”.

The wines Tom is featuring certainly reflect that theme. They are:

  • Woodchester Sauvignon Blanc 25
  • Louma Blanc de Blancs 2020.
  • Cary Wine Estate / Cherry Orchard Pinot Noir 2023

About the presenters

Henry, an award-winning drinks writer who has written regularly for publications in both this country and the USA, is currently the drinks columnist for The Critic and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph, Spectator, Jancisrobinson.com, Decanter, The Buyer and Club Oenologique.

The author of Empire of booze: British history through the bottom of a glass, he has appeared on the much-loved podcast The rest is history as well as on a wide range of national TV and radio shows.

He has his own online blog, Drinking Culture, and in 2024 launched the Intoxicating History podcast with Tom Parker Bowles, produced by Melanie Jappy from The Wine Show, and is researching a book about wine and class to be published next year.

He was shortlisted for the International Wine & Spirit Competition Wine Communicator Of The Year Award in both 2023 and 2025 and is renowned for his warmth and sense of humour. While he specialises in wine, he has a wealth of experience across all drinks categories and is one of the UK’s leading communicators on the no and low alcohol category.

Tom’s work includes his On the razz stand up comedy and wine tasting events as well as the WineAlive wine festivals and tasting events he hosts alongside the likes of Oz Clarke, Tim Atkin, Olly Smith, Susy Atkins and Luma Monteiro. He has also hosted the main drinks stage and a range of masterclasses at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham for the Good Food Show and worked as the wine presenter for a number of British Airways Food and Drink Experience Events.

“We are absolutely delighted that Henry and Tom will be contributing future wine columns for Vineyard magazine and we look forward to their first joint masterclass at this year’s Vineyard & Winery Show,” concluded Jamie.

Tickets for the masterclass are on sale now here.

This year’s masterclass is kindly sponsored by Kreston Reeves.