Present day members hold monthly meetings which take the form of wine tastings, or a talk on wines or a quiz and there is always plenty of wine and supper to enjoy and share. Occasionally these days there might be a demonstration on making wine however not many members now make their own wines.
Periodically a brewery or a vineyard in the north of England might also be visited. Since the year 2000 tours to vineyards, by coach, have been arranged and have included three in the south of England, one to the Champagne region of France and two to vineyards in the Burgundy and Alsace regions of France.
Chairman: Alison Brown and Neil Jellings
Secretary: Fiona Parker
Contact fiona.parker1@icloud.com for more information
DATES of EVENTS 2024
- Tuesday 26th November 2024 Dalton Village Hall 7.30pm with light supper:
Bordeaux Vertical appellation by John Raffle prize: Alison
- Saturday 7th December 2024 at 5pm:
Christmas Dinner at The Bay Horse Ravensworth Raffle prizes: DWC
- Tuesday 28th January 2025 Dalton Village Hall 7.30pm bring your own beverage, don’t forget the whisky toasts:
Burns supper with Piper open evening all welcome. Raffle prizes: John, Sandra & Chris M
- Tuesday 25th February 2025 Newsham Village Hall 7.30pm with curry supper:
Curry and beer night by Clarissa and Ian Raffle prize: Ann
- Tuesday 25th March 2025 Dalton Village Hall 7.30pm with light supper:
Californian wine night with Californian weather by Gareth
Raffle prize: Elizabeth
- Tuesday 29th April 2025 Dalton Village Hall 7.30pm with light supper:
Zero alcohol/alcohol comparisons with Chris W Raffle prize: Stuart
- Tuesday 27th May 2025 Dalton Village Hall 7.30pm with light supper:
Other world wines with Elizabeth Raffle prize: Wilf
- Tuesday 24th June 2025: Dalton Village Hall 7.30pm with light supper:
It’s all in the bubbles by Colin Raffle prize: Clarissa
- 12th July 2025: Summer BBQ No Raffle prize
Hosted by Sian and Chris
- Tuesday 23rd September 2025: Dalton Village Hall 7.30pm with light supper:
Call my bluff with Elizabeth and team Raffle prize: Fiona
- Tuesday 22nd October 2025: Dalton Village Hall 7.30pm with light supper BYOB:
AGM followed by a fun evening of Dominoes Raffle prize: TBC
Visitors are welcome to all meetings – just come along.
Competition winners will receive a trophy at the AGM to keep for a year.
Meetings are held in Dalton and Gayles Village Hall at 7.30 p.m. unless indicated above.
History of the Wine Circle
The inaugural meeting of the Dalton Wine Making Circle was held on April 16th 1970 at 7.30 pm in Dalton & Gayles Village Hall. Eighteen people attended and apologies were received from five.
The Chairman of the Parish Council introduced two guests Mr & Mrs Blacklock, who were members from Heighington Wine Club, and opened the meeting. Mrs Blacklock explained to the meeting how a Wine Circle was run and the benefits to members from attending the meetings and the benefits of being affiliated to the National Association of Wine Making Federation. Following a lengthy discussion it was agreed that The Dalton Wine Making Circle be formed. The first wine to be made at the newly formed Wine Circle was a rice and raisin wine which was demonstrated to the meeting by Mr & Mrs Blacklock who then kindly donated a tray as a trophy which is still presented annually and referred to as the Blacklock Trophy.
Founder members were Dalton residents Mrs Alice Dent (postmistress), Nancy Collinson (Broaches Farm), Mr & Mrs Sidney Fisher (Dalton House), Eric Coulthard of Barnard Castle & Mr & Mrs J T Powell of Richmond.
After the first three years, members had started to amass a collection of home-made wines and beers it was decided that a show would be held by the Circle one Saturday afternoon. Classes included wine, beer, larger, liqueur and many home baking classes as well as classes for children. With entries accepted from approximately nine other clubs, as far away as Stockton, Redcar and Whitley Bay there were as many as 600 bottles on display at the show. The show day ended with a supper dance at night which was well attended.
A total of 14 trophies, which were collected over the years, are held by the Wine Circle and awarded. Even though the wine club shows have ceased a Summer Supper Dance is still held and other wine club members are invited to join us.