2023 brought a dull July with low light levels, high rainfall and low temperatures, so this year’s grape harvest will almost certainly be a low-sugar and late one. This will increase the risk of fungal diseases such as downy mildew and grey mould, which can be difficult to manage. Two of Hutchinsons’ senior agronomists, viticulture lead Chris Cooper and horticultural agronomist Rob Saunders, review the options open to growers to manage these challenging pathogens.

Wineries, on a day-to-day basis, are focused on their core purpose for being in business: making an exceptional bottle of wine. To this end, they have all the best systems needed already in place. They have an excellent approach to vineyard management, a sound selection process for raw materials and modern production management systems for producing that good bottle of wine. However, what happens once the wine is made and bottled?

With the UK’s climate shifting towards more extreme weather, growing blackcurrants is becoming increasingly challenging for sixth-generation farmer Nick Overy, whose family has been producing the crop under contract with Ribena for 30 years.

Within wineries there are numerous health and safety hazards that require careful management to protect staff and minimise the risk of injury. Following the recent tragic death of Italian winemaker Marco Bettolini, who was overcome by toxic fumes while attempting to rescue a colleague, Fruit & Vine spoke to Defined Wine CEO Henry Sugden who offered some advice.

Brother-and-sister team, Catherine and James Scarff are fourth-generation farmers, who have successfully diversified part of their arable acreage into a successful vineyard with a stunning tasting room; and they have even bigger ideas for the future.

Ian Evans, co-owner of Copdock Hall Vineyard in Ipswich, spoke at the recent Autumn Farming Conference to share the highs and lows of running a boutique vineyard and wedding venue.

British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL), the UK top fruit grower association, has named Aldi as its 2023 apple retailer of the year.

Vineyards have been confirmed as being in the top two of the fastest-growing agricultural crop sectors in England, according to recent statistics reported within Defra’s Agricultural and Horticultural Survey.

The #GetFairAboutFarming campaign has seen over 60,000 people sign a petition to the government, but campaigners say the silence from major supermarkets has been “deafening”.

Nestled in the idyllic Vale of Belvoir in Leicestershire lies Belvoir Farm. At 60 acres, their organic elderflower plantation is the largest in the UK. Fruit & Vine met with owner Peverel Manners, alongside farm manager Keith Challen, at the start of their elderflower harvest.

Fruit & Vine spoke with Pete Thompson of Thompson’s Fresh Produce Ltd, which specialises in growing for the specialist Oriental food sector, as well as niche tree fruit, to find out more about how a vegetable farm in Harwich has become known for its citrus fruits and olives.

Hogs Back Brewery’s popular Hop Harvest Festival welcomed more than 3,500 visitors this year, making the event the biggest hop harvest party ever held at the brewery.