An exciting project, funded by the the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, to restore Suffolk’s orchards is underway in the historic Sandlings area of the county.

Major US wine company Jackson Family Wines has announced plans to expand its premium wine portfolio into the United Kingdom with seasoned winemaker and former Gusbourne CEO Charlie Holland taking the lead on the firm’s new venture.

The annual Orchard and Machinery Day, held in Newent, Gloucestershire, took place in late June, with more than 200 guests in attendance. The event provides a unique opportunity each year for the cider industry to thank those who work so hard growing apples for them and to celebrate the importance of British-grown cider apples. 

As climate change is increasingly felt across the UK and many wineries look to source more grapes to keep up with demand, Balfour Winery co-founder Richard Balfour-Lynn is urging British farmers to diversify into viticulture now and reap the benefits in the years to come.

One of the UK’s first suppliers of fruit and veg boxes has switched to 100% paper or home compostable packaging – as well as a number of other measures to help protect the planet. Fruit & Vine magazine spoke to Riverford’s head of sustainability Zac Goodall to find out more.

Much time and effort is spent by fruit producers and winemakers getting the growing, harvesting and pressing of grapes correct, along with the fermentation, processing and final filtration of the wine. Bottling however, requires just as much thought and consideration.

Growers visiting Fruit Focus on 12th July in East Malling, Kent, will be able to explore cutting-edge research and innovation projects, funded to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the fruit sector.

Growing Kent & Medway and Canterbury Christ Church University are joining forces in a new collaborative partnership aimed at connecting horticultural and food and drink businesses with agri-technology specialists to drive research and innovation in the sector.

Dingle Farm grows around 60 different varieties of cherries, apricots and plums in Worcestershire, including a number of trial varieties – with its key aims being to increase yields and fruit size, and to find later varieties. Deputy editor Sarah Kidby spoke to farm manager Matt Foster to find out more.

The International Blackcurrant Conference returned to Herefordshire this year with an inspiring two-day programme featuring talks from industry experts, a presentation on different weed control methods, harvest forecasts and visits to three prominent UK fruit farms.

Although British strawberry season arrived a month later than usual due to the cool spring weather, the slower ripening period means the nation can expect to enjoy bigger and juicier berries this year, experts have said.

Inverness-based fruit and vegetable wholesaler Sky East UK is moving forward with its plans to develop a specialist reactor for converting natural waste into an environmentally friendly soil enhancer, made possible by a £150,000 investment from HSBC UK.