On Thursday 19 November, The Felin Fach Griffin will welcome the 2026 Beaujolais Nouveau with a celebration that brings together a young French wine, seasonal food and a distinctly South Wales tradition.
The Griffin’s plans include wines from Domaine des Marrans, a two-week prix fixe lunch menu and Supper Clubs on Beaujolais Day itself. It is a good excuse to make a proper occasion of a Thursday in the countryside, with the warm hospitality and thoughtful cooking that have made the inn a favourite between Brecon and Hay-on-Wye.
A young wine with a story to tell
Beaujolais Nouveau is the first wine released from the year’s harvest. Made predominantly from Gamay grapes and released on the third Thursday of November, it is designed to be enjoyed young, fresh and shared rather than put away for years.
The 2026 Domaine des Marrans cuvée is organically produced, with a bright, juicy character, fresh red-fruit flavours and a supple, approachable style. It is a first taste of the vintage, and part of the fun is discovering what the new harvest has brought to the glass.
Why Beaujolais Day feels at home in South Wales
South Wales has a particularly strong connection with Beaujolais Nouveau. Swansea’s No Sign Bar is widely credited with beginning local celebrations in the 1960s, helped by owner Clem Thomas’s links with Burgundy. Cardiff and Swansea were already important South Wales ports and natural gateways for imported goods, making the region well placed to receive wines arriving from France.
Over time, the day became about more than being first to taste the new vintage. It became a social occasion: a reason to dress up, meet friends, share food and welcome the start of the festive season. The Griffin’s celebration gives that tradition a more relaxed country setting, with the Black Mountains close by and time to enjoy the meal as much as the moment.
Beaujolais Day at The Griffin
For this year’s celebration, The Felin Fach Griffin will be pouring Domaine des Marrans Beaujolais Nouveau alongside its two-week prix fixe lunch menu, with Supper Clubs taking place on Thursday 19 November. Menus, sittings and availability can change, so check The Griffin’s own website for current details and booking information.
You can also explore The Felin Fach Griffin’s BBT business profile to find out more about the dining pub, its rooms and its setting between Brecon and Hay-on-Wye. For another recent reason to visit, read our feature on The Griffin’s place in The Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Pubs for 2026.
