Vine

WineGB has announced its inaugural WineGB Rising Stars Awards, an initiative that acknowledges and celebrates the next generation of UK wine industry professionals.

The national association for the English and Welsh wine industry, WineGB, has prepared a range of events for 2024, following a busy and record-breaking harvest in 2023. The programmes that will be delivered across the country and overseas aim to support the growth of the UK’s wine industry and represent their interests to politicians this year.

Changes to rules affecting the English wine industry will unlock innovation, cut waste and reduce burdens on the sector, the environment secretary has said.

Following a “near perfect year” for wine, WineGB is celebrating what it believes will be Great Britain’s largest-ever grape harvest to date.

WineGB will be hosting the inaugural WineGB Rising Stars Awards as well as the returning Vintners’ UK Wine Apprentice Award. The awards will be taking place at Vintners’ Hall on Wednesday 31st January.

Hadlow College says it takes great pride in producing farmers of the future, and one of the hot topics at the moment is regenerative farming within viticulture and horticulture. But what is this, and why is it so important?

As UK growers increasingly look for alternatives to conventional fertilisers, deputy editor Sarah Kidby spoke to Jason Colin of Natura Grow, to learn about a unique plant-based fertiliser that is gaining traction on vineyards and orchards in the UK.

The Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate in South Africa says its flock of ducks contribute a balanced, healthy ecosystem in its vineyards – as well as adding an air of ‘intrigue and charm’ to the estate.

Husband-and-wife team Martyn Pollock and Helen Matheson-Pollock are committed to making small batch, estate-grown wines that are a true expression of their boutique vineyard in the heart of the Kent countryside. Rachel Hicks writes.

Having bought a vineyard with his wife 20 years ago, with the mentality “leap, and the net will appear”, Master Winemaker and consultant Justin Howard-Sneyd now advises his clients to look before they leap – helping them to find their ‘why?’ before they plant a vineyard.

White Castle Vineyard scooped Best Overall Wine for its still red, Harry, and was presented with a trophy by the Welsh minister for rural affairs.

Emma Rice, one of the most respected UK winemakers, set up her own winemaking consultancy company earlier this year. Deputy editor Sarah Kidby caught up with Emma for some industry insights.