Wine industry to enjoy year full of activities organised by WineGB
25th January 2025
WineGB has published its list of activities for the 2025 calendar year, including dates for the annual Trade and Press Tasting and English Wine Week.
To provide the trade with better access to our wines, WineGB said it will be “stepping up” this year. Its enhanced trade activity includes a number of events.
A bigger venue for the annual National WineGB Trade and Press Tasting on 8th September. Following the largest-ever event in 2024 with over 350 wines and 80 producers on show, WineGB is moving its flagship event to a larger venue with more space to explore the world of English and Welsh wine. Come and taste the UK in one room.
Focused Touch-Down Tastings in June and November to explore key themes and provide more opportunities to taste a selection of GB wines.
The annual WineGB Awards (June) and the Golden 50 Wines will once again provide the sector with go-to lists of award-winning wines to stock. The Golden 50 had its first showing at the Vineyard Show in 2024 and highlights the 50 top English and Welsh wines from the best national and international awards.
The monthly Trade Newsletter, started in 2024, will continue to communicate key pieces of news to ensure WineGB is better connected with its trade partners. If you would like to be on the mailing list, please email phoebe@winegb.co.uk
Growing domestic market
To continue to grow sales in our domestic market, WineGB will be renewing and revamping its annual English Wine Week campaign as well as supporting Welsh Wine Week and other regional marketing and events initiatives.
During English Wine Week, which takes place from 21st to 29th June, WineGB will run two multi-channel campaigns to drive sales and awareness, including a consumer campaign to win an English wine experience and a trade campaign based on sales uplift.
Welsh Wine Week will run from 30th May to 8th June this year. WineGB will support the promotion of the events and offers happening throughout Wales.
WineGB will continue to publicise regional events taking place throughout the year, including the Wine Garden of England Summer Celebration (8th June in Chilham Castle, Kent), the Vineyards of Hampshire Fizz Fest (29th June in Raimes Wine Barn and Vineyard, Hampshire), and the Vineyards of the Surrey Hills’ Summer Spectacular.
WineGB will also be publishing an updated Tourism Report to mark the end of English Tourism Week on 24th March.
Campaigning for change
Following a developmental year in which WineGB responded to seven government consultations, wrote two Budget submissions, and launched its Manifesto for Growth, the trade association will double-down on its lobbying activity this year.
This includes, among other things, the launch of a Cellar Door Campaign in June to advocate for cellar door relief and put GB wine producers on a level playing field with those making beer and cider.
Ahead of the Autumn Budget in October, WineGB will once again champion the needs of the industry in its Budget Campaign.
Throughout the year, WineGB will engage with members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Wines of Great Britain and hold regular meetings with key government representatives.
This will culminate in a Parliamentary Reception in November to further highlight the sector’s key priorities and challenges.
Expanding exports
Building on seminal work, which has seen export sales rise from 4% of sales in 2021 to 8% currently, WineGB will once again increase its export activity this year.
Starting off strong, the trade association will make its first appearance at Wine Paris (10th to 12th February) with nine producers joining the WineGB pavilion.
This will be followed by a return trip to ProWein (16th to 18th March) where the WineGB stand will once again be in prime position in the New World Wine Hall (Hall 14).
In addition to these key trade shows, which combined welcomed over 86,000 visitors last year, WineGB will also be coordinating targeted export activity in the USA (April), Nordics (September) and Japan (November).
Other activities
The WineGB Photography Competition 2025 will be launched on 18th February with a greater list of submission categories. Members of the public, trade, and British wine industry can submit images in 10 competition categories.
The top five photos in each category will be whittled down by an expert panel before being put up for a public vote across WineGB’s social media channels. The overall winner will be crowned at the WineGB Awards ceremony in July.
The annual Pruning Competition, affectionately known as the Battle of the Secateurs, will return this year in March. Developed to encourage high standards in the vineyard and celebrate the art of pruning, this competition allows both teams and individuals to show off their skills and battle it out to win the coveted title of Vine Pruner of the Year.
After a successful first year, we will be running our 30 days of Sustainable Action campaign in 2025, beginning in October and ending with the launch of the Sustainability Impact Report 2025 in November.
To finish the year, WineGB will be supporting the annual Vineyard & Winery Show on 19 November, the industry’s largest technology and equipment event.
Nicola Bates, CEO of WineGB, said: “In 2025 we are building on a productive year and will continue to cultivate the success of English and Welsh wine. With a renewed focus on communicating with the trade, as well as growing our markets both domestically and overseas, we have a busy calendar of events in place to help our producers achieve their goals.”
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