Beaujolais Nouveau at the hearth

It’s young, bright, and made for sharing. A reminder that wine, at its best, is simply something to gather around. 

On 19th November, we’re doing exactly that at Emberwood. 

Meet the winemaker 

Christophe Pacalet is the nephew of Marcel Lapierre, the man who, alongside Jules Chauvet, changed how Beaujolais is made. Christophe grew up in the cellars of Morgon and trained under his uncle. Today he makes wines across nearly all ten Beaujolais Crus, working with old vines and minimal intervention. 

His wines carry the pure, vibrant character of Gamay. He’ll be with us all evening, sharing the story of the region and answering questions about the wines, the Crus, and the people who make them. 

The evening 

The evening begins with Beaujolais Nouveau 2026, poured from magnums. It’s the first taste of the new vintage, and a fitting start to the night. 

From there, we move through a discovery of the region’s best terroirs. Each wine is chosen to show a different side of Gamay, and Christophe guides the conversation as the glasses change. 

Chef David has built a menu to sit alongside the wines. Baguette and marinated olives on the tables. Chicken liver parfait or beetroot with goat’s curd. Puy lentils with Toulouse sausage, or a squash version for those who prefer it. Beef bourguignon, or a mushroom bourguignon. A true French twist on our brasserie classics.

Why at Emberwood

Beaujolais has spent years being misunderstood, treated as a seasonal novelty rather than a serious wine. Christophe and his generation are changing that. Their wines are precise, nuanced, and deeply rooted in place. Our wine menu doesn’t nod wines but is for those who know wines, truly. It is a chance to go on the journey with a wine maker and with Claire Thévenot who has curated the evening with that in mind. Her reputation across Bath and Europe rests on finding wines that tell a story, and this is one of them. 

Come and Join Us 

The evening runs from 6:00pm to 9:30pm on 19th November.  

Tickets are £90 per person, with wine and menu included. 

Some evenings are about the wine. This one is about the conversation, the fire, and the people around the table. 

Click here to get your ticket.