THIS year’s Hampshire Food Festival launches tomorrow, offering more than 60 food and farming events across the county until July 31.

The popular annual event is now in its 17th year and is co-ordinated by food group Hampshire Fare.

The festival is a chance to immerse yourself in local food culture, with vineyard, farm, distillery and brewery tours as well as pop-up restaurants, cooking masterclasses, shows and fêtes.

Tracy Nash, commercial manager at Hampshire Fare, said: “The Hampshire Food Festival is a well-established month of events celebrating all that is tasty about our county.

“The events are a chance to explore the story behind the food on our plates and really get to the source of our ingredients. Whether you are a local food fan or you are yet to explore what we have here, there are plenty of events for you to enjoy.”

Kicking off the festival on Saturday will be an opportunity to tour award-winning Hattingley Valley Wines at Lower Wield, near Alresford, and to taste the wines. Guided tours take place from 10.30am-12.30pm and 2pm-4pm and entry is £15. To book, call 01256 389188 or visit hattingleyvalley.co.uk.

On the same weekend (July 1-2), the lavender fields at Hartley Park Farm on the B3006 Selborne road will be open to the public from 11am to 4pm with an opportunity to see the lavender and wild flowers in bloom, and to enjoy talks, tractor rides, cream teas and plants. Entry is £4 for adults, free to children under 12. Dogs are not allowed (except assistance dogs).

Also on Saturday (July 1) and Sunday (July 2), Gorilla Spirits at Unit 1, Magpie Works, Station Approach, Four Marks, will be open on both days from 11am-5pm for tours of the distillery and tastings. It will be repeated on July 29 and July 30. Entry is £5 for adults. To book, visit gorillaspirits.co.uk.

Further south, Manor Farm at Broughton, near Stockbridge, will open its gates from noon to 4pm when there will be an opportunity to explore the farm and visit the Broughton Water Buffalo herd, followed by a chance to taste the meat on a barbecue. To book, call 01794 301031 or e-mail [email protected].

For a full events listing, visit hampshirefare.co.uk.