Shop Cotswolds was delighted to welcome a high number of food and drink producers from across the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean to a successful networking event hosted by Woodchester Valley Vineyard in Stroud in Gloucestershire on the evening of 21 April 2026.
The event brought together independent producers to share stories, celebrate successes and connect with peers, reinforcing the strength and collaboration within the region’s local food and drink community.
The evening began on the terrace with a refreshing glass of Woodchester Valley Vineyard’s alcohol free Verjuice, followed by a mini wine tasting session where guests heard from Alistair and the winemaker, Jeremy, of Woodchester Valley Vineyard, who shared why the Cotswolds are so important to the vineyard’s journey as a business and offered insights into their wines and the winemaking process.
This was accompanied by artisan cheese nibbles from Godsell’s Cheese in Stonehouse, an award winning, family run cheesemaker producing handmade cheese using milk from their own herd of cows. And, to round off the evening, Bristol based Drinks Kitchen served a selection of non alcoholic botanical aperitifs, enjoyed by all. Throughout the event, attendees had ample opportunity to network, exchange ideas and make valuable new connections.
Mark Whitrow, Retail Manager of Woodchester Valley Vineyard, said: “The evening was a true celebration of community, organised by Nicola and Caroline from Shop Cotswolds, and successfully brought together food and drink producers united by shared ambitions and drive.”
Nicola Hardy, Co Founder of Shop Cotswolds, added: “It was fantastic to see so many local food and drink producers engaging with each other at our networking event. Now in our third year, we regularly ask producers for feedback, and we’re pleased to hear that Shop Cotswolds is adding real value and helping to create genuine sales opportunities. We’re also incredibly grateful to Woodchester Valley Vineyard for hosting and helping make the evening such a success.”
The event is one of many organised by Shop Cotswolds to support local food and drink producers, providing opportunities to share ideas and challenges, celebrate achievements and simply enjoy time together within the local business community.
Producers in attendance included:
Copper Lion Distillery, Cotswold Orchard Herbs, Godsell’s Cheese, Drinks Kitchen, Mayhawk Chocolate, Portway Farm Shop, Bow in the Cloud Vineyard, Spirit of Ilmington, Brookes Dairy, Uley Brewery, Uncommon Distillery, Astley Vineyard and The Village Cakery, to name a few.
