As part of a festive stay at Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa in Cheshire, I attended a dinner from the Winter Wine Dinner Series hosted by Hand Picked Hotels. The evening featured wines from La Croix de Brully, a boutique producer from Burgundy, paired with a seasonal four-course menu served in one of the hotel’s private dining rooms.
With carefully selected wines, an elegant menu and insight from Master Sommelier Clément Robert, the experience was a memorable part of the trip.
Disclaimer: I stayed at Rookery Hall Hotel for a PR trip for Handpicked Hotels, however all thoughts and opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.
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About the Handpicked Hotels Winter Wine Dinner Series
The Winter Wine Dinner Series is a seasonal programme of food and wine events held across the Hand Picked Hotels collection. Each event focuses on a particular wine producer or region and features a four-course dinner with five paired wines. Hosting is provided by one of the group’s expert sommeliers, offering guests the opportunity to learn more about the wines served throughout the evening.
At Rookery Hall, the featured wines came from La Croix de Brully, a small domaine in Burgundy that produces elegant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from renowned appellations including Meursault, Rully, Chassagne-Montrachet, Chambolle-Musigny and Santenay Premier Cru.
Setting and service at Rookery Hall Hotel
The dinner was held in one of the hotel’s private dining spaces, with soft lighting and classic interiors that created a calm and welcoming atmosphere. We began the evening with canapés and a glass of Rully Clos des Mollepierres, which set the tone for the relaxed, unhurried pace of the meal that followed.
Service throughout the evening was excellent, and the small group setting gave the dinner an intimate and personal feel.
Hosted by Master Sommelier Clément Robert
The wines were introduced by Clément Robert, Master Sommelier and Head of Wine for Hand Picked Hotels. Clément brought each wine to life with a short introduction before it was poured, offering context on the grape variety, terroir and style, as well as how it complemented the dish.
His delivery was informative and engaging, without ever feeling too formal. He took time between courses to answer questions and speak with guests, which added a friendly and personal touch to the event.
Each course of the evening was carefully matched with a wine from La Croix de Brully, selected to bring out the best in both the food and the glass. The menu celebrated fresh, seasonal ingredients and refined French techniques, with thoughtful commentary from the sommelier and chef to introduce each pairing.
Saint-Aubin 1er Cru La Châtenière 2023, served with Crab Tart
The dinner began with a delicate crab tart, topped with slivers of Granny Smith apple, brown crab meat and garden herbs. The tartness of the apple balanced the sweetness of the crab, while the Saint-Aubin offered freshness and structure, with just enough weight to match the richness of the pastry and seafood.
Chassagne-Montrachet La Goujonne 2023, served with Skrei Cod
Next came Skrei cod, a prized Norwegian winter fish, served with caviar and a white wine cream sauce, lifted with dill. This was a beautifully restrained dish that let the cod shine, and the Chassagne-Montrachet provided precise acidity and minerality that cut through the cream, echoing the coastal notes of the caviar.
Chambolle-Musigny 2023, served with Stuffed Herb-Fed Chicken
The main course featured herb-fed chicken, carefully stuffed and accompanied by a coq au vin-style garnish. This dish had depth and richness, which was matched by the finesse of the Chambolle-Musigny. Its silky tannins and red fruit notes brought contrast and lift, while the wine’s savoury backbone tied everything together.
Santenay 1er Cru 2023, served with Aged Creamy Lancashire
To finish, a wedge of aged Lancashire cheese was served with a miniature Eccles cake and fig. The Santenay 1er Cru had enough body to match the creaminess of the cheese and the sweetness of the fruit, making this final pairing feel indulgent but balanced — a quietly confident end to the evening.
Why book a Winter Wine Dinner at Rookery Hall?
This event was a highlight of my visit. The combination of a seasonal setting, a well-curated wine flight, and excellent food made it an enjoyable and memorable evening. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, and the insights from Clément made the evening feel both accessible and special.
If you’re planning a stay at Rookery Hall and enjoy food and wine experiences, it’s worth keeping an eye on the calendar. These events offer something different and provide a great excuse to enjoy a special evening as part of a weekend break or festive getaway.
When does Rookery Hall host wine evenings?
Handpicked Hotels host a range of events and experiences throughout the year across all of it’s hotels, including Rookery Hall. To see what’s coming up and to book, check out there events page here, or give them a follow on Instagram to be the first to know about new event releases.
