As a great start to the Christmas Season, members and friends of the Bailliage of Wessex were welcomed to The Vineyard at Stockcross by General Manager and Maître Hôtelier, Hayden Bowl. The Vineyard is a 5 Red Star hotel and spa, located between Newbury and Hungerford in Berkshire. It takes its name from owner Sir Peter Michael’s world class winery in the mountains of California. The evening commenced with a sabrage lead by Julian White, UK Ambassador of the Conferie du Sabre d’Or, and many members participated in this fun event. Naturally, we then had to drink the champagne, which was served with canapés! Dinner was created for us by Executive Chef, Maître Rôtisseur Daniel Galmiche who specializes in modern French cuisine. He also signed copies of his new book, French Brasserie Cookbook, which was great for those of us who love collecting cook books. Maître Sommelier, Yohann Jousselin, currently UK Sommelier of the year, spoke of the wines during the evening. Dinner was served in the hotel’s beautiful restaurant. After an amuse bouche, we were served pan fried sea bass, mussel broth, braised leeks, complimented by Vasse Felix, Sauvingnon Blanc / Semillon 2009. Main course was Scottish fillet of beef with potatoes, truffles and bone marrow glazed red wine jus served with Tenute Marchese Antinori, Chianti Classico Reserva 2006. After seasonal farmhouse cheeses, a dessert of almond biscotti, sautéed plums, amaretto cream, almond ice-cream along with a dessert wine, Maculan, Torcolato 2007 was served. The evening concluded with coffee, petit fours and an 18 year old Chivas Regal. We were delighted that Michel Cottray, Bailli Délégué of France and his wife Heike Cottray, Bailli Délégué of Monaco were able to join us for the occasion.