Vine Articles

NIAB is hosting a ‘Vine and Wine Discovery Day’ at its East Malling site in Kent, exclusively for UK grape growers and winemakers.

As we race towards flowering and fruit set, inflorescences (bunches) develop and become more visible. This provides an opportunity to make an assessment on the potential for this year’s harvest, explains VineWorks business director and head of vineyard services, Chris Buckley.

The British wine industry is one of the fastest-growing in the world with just under £480 million invested in vineyards and wineries over the past five years, as demand for English wine rises to unprecedented levels, a recent viticulture report has revealed.

Despite challenges in both the fruit and vine growing industries, the market for crafted ciders and English wine continues to grow. Fruit & Vine deputy editor Sarah Kidby spoke to consultant viticulturist, and wine and cider maker, Simon Day about industry trends, innovations and challenges.

Vinescapes, one of the world’s leading vineyard and winery consultancies, has launched the industry’s first ever Graduate Training Programme of its kind and is delighted to announce the appointment of Sarah Stott as the first graduate trainee.

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.

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.

Diversification from traditional farming practices affords many opportunities for improving the economic viability of many farm businesses whilst benefiting the wider rural community by providing additional jobs and encouraging tourism. VineWorks head of retail, Cherry Constable, explains why viticulture could be a suitable diversification option.

Additional items have been added to the scheme for 2023, including mulchers for orchards and vineyards to help reduce input costs and improve carbon retention in the soil.

Viti-Culture is a one day free event that focuses on technical developers, innovators, supplies and services directly or indirectly involved in wine production – from soil to cellar. The event provides a showcase for interested and prospective growers to come and speak to industry experts.

Plumpton College, in partnership with the Drinks Trust and Wines of Great Britain, is launching a free three-week course designed to equip eligible job seekers with the practical skills and knowledge required to find employment in the UK wine industry.

Wine producers and importers will be freed from unnecessary red tape thanks to proposed changes to retained EU laws on the production and marketing of wine, generating an estimated £180m boost to the UK wine industry, alongside opening the market to new products and growing the economy.