The Great Shropshire Wine Revolution: Official Launch of Buttery Hill Rosé

For one night only, the Museum lights stay on, the glasses are polished, and the Shropshire Assemblage gathers.

On Thursday, 30 April 2026, Harper Adams University invites you to the Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery for a historic evening of viticulture, culture, and celebration.

From the Romans at Wroxeter to the Robots of Harper Adams, Shropshire has always been a land of innovation. Now, we are proud to launch our inaugural commercial vintage-the 2024 Buttery Hill Rosé.

But we aren't celebrating alone. We have gathered a coalition of the county’s most prestigious vineyards to prove that Shropshire is on the verge of becoming the UK's most exciting emerging wine region.

This is your only chance to taste the Buttery Hill Rosé alongside the producers who inspired it. Most of these wines are usually only available at the vineyard cellar doors-tonight, they are all in one room.

Entry to the Museum and the talks is free of charge via guestlist registration.

To enjoy the full wine tasting experience, guests can purchase a Shropshire Wine Passport on the door (£10 plus VAT).

Your passport includes:

• A professional Tanners Tasting Glass (on loan).
• A physical Stamp Book.
• The Hero Pour: A full glass of the new Harper Adams Buttery Hill Rosé.
• The Tour: Access to tasting samples from our guest producers.
• The Challenge: Visit every producer in the gallery, fill your Passport with stamps, and enter the prize draw to win the "Best of Shropshire" Hamper.

Taste the best of the region alongside the Harper Adams team:

• Colmere
• Dinglewood Wines
• Halfpenny Green
• Harper Adams University
• Hencote
• Kerry Vale
• Rowton Vineyard
• Veenow

Located on the Museum Balcony

Don't miss our headline series of short, punchy talks exploring the past, present, and future of our region.

19:00 – THE OFFICIAL UNVEILING

Speaker: The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ken Sloan- Harper Adams University.

• The Keynote: An official welcome and the ceremonial first toast of the Buttery Hill Rosé.

19:10 – THE FOUNDATION & THE MAVERIC

Speakers: Clive Vickers (Halfpenny Green) & Gavin Patterson (Hencote).

• The Clash: The Godfather of Shropshire wine meets the Artisan.
• The Topic: A conversation on how our region evolved from humble beginnings to world-class viticulture and why looking back to ancient clay pots might be the sustainable future.

19:25 – THE SCIENCE OF THE PERFECT SIP

Speaker: Dr Frank Vriesekoop (Harper Adams University).

• The Insight: Wine is art, but consistency is science.
• The Topic: Discover the chemistry behind the Buttery Hill Rosé, how climate change is reshaping what we grow.

19:35 – THE NEW FRONTIER

Speakers: Zoe Evans (Rowton Vineyard) & Nadine Roach (Kerry Vale Vineyard).

• The Vision: The next generation takes the mic.
• The Topic: How Shropshire is transforming into a premier wine tourism destination from Day Trips to Destination Vineyards.

19:45 – THE GREAT SHROPSHIRE WINE REVOLUTION PANEL

Featuring Special Guest: James Tanner (Tanners Wines).

• The Finale: A rapid-fire Q&A with our speakers and the legendary James Tanner.
• The Topic: The Future of Shropshire Wine. We ask the tough questions: Can we compete with the South? What does the modern drinker actually want?

• Venue: Explore the stunning Shropshire Gallery after hours.
• Marketplace: All producers will have sealed bottles available for purchase to take home.

Strictly Over 18s Only. Challenge 25 policy in operation.

Capacity is strictly limited to 150 total guests (the balcony where talks will be held have a max capacity of 80 seated). RSVP now to secure your place on the guestlist.

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