Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Sustainability Report: The climate lottery

Published: 27 November, 2024

Viticulture, and thus winemaking, stands as a barometer for climate change. But, as James Lawrence reports, not all impacts are equal.

Ridgeview begins 2024 harvest after ‘challenging’ year

Published: 14 October, 2024

Ridgeview Wine Estate, a key player in English sparkling wine, has started its 2024 harvest. Despite challenging growing conditions in the UK and Europe, the estate is confident in the quality of its grapes, sourced from both its home estate and long-term partner vineyards across southern England.

Bierzo producer launches campaign to save old vines

Published: 29 April, 2024

For star Spanish producer Raul Perez, who’s done much to put Bierzo on the map of wine, the key to production has always been the use of field blends of old vines, bringing depth and consistency to wines.

Leading Chianti estate slams ‘overhyped organic viticulture’

Published: 25 September, 2023

Chianti Classico producer Ricasoli has criticised growers who regard organics as the “definitive panacea for sustainability,” arguing that their methods are not without significant drawbacks.

Colchagua a ‘microcosm’ of Chile’s diverse future

Published: 27 February, 2023

Once dubbed the ‘Hollywood of Chile” by regional expert Amanda Barnes, Colchagua Valley is on track to lead the next generation of rising stars by dint of its focus on artisanal diversity.

Viticulture in focus: What are the major trends?

Published: 24 November, 2022

Jo Gilbert catches up with some of the UK’s top agents, distributors and producers taking the lead on sustainability issues.

Global organic vineyard area reaches half-a-million hectares

Published: 29 September, 2021

A new report from the OIV shows that organic viticulture is gaining major ground across the world, with nearly half-a-million hectares worldwide now dedicated to organic vines.

Fruit focus ramps up viticulture-related content

Published: 12 July, 2021

The NFU's Fruit Focus, the leading UK fruit grower event, is teed up to offer several sessions relevant to English and Welsh grape growers during its day-long event on 21 July.

Ethical winemaking in South America: A new world

Published: 01 April, 2021

James Lawrence looks at the South American wineries championing biodiversity and giving back to the vineyards.

Tech vs critics: developing satellite scores

Published: 03 February, 2021

Saturnalia aims to overcome the ‘mystery and magic’ surrounding fine wine pricing and scores with space-based technology. Felicity Carter eyes up its heavenly ambitions

Catalonia's Raimat to open as nature reserve

Published: 23 November, 2020

Spain’s Raimat winery is to take its commitment to sustainable winemaking one step further by transforming its estate into a nature reserve.

Harpers and Argento put the spotlight on organic

Published: 14 September, 2020

Join us this week for Harpers’ latest online session where we will be delving into organic winemaking over two insight-filled sessions.

AI robot project launches to support UK wine industry

Published: 06 August, 2020

A consortium formed to develop robotics for the UK's viticulture sector to assist in the identification of disease, precision pesticide treatments, and to support pruning and picking, has unveiled its first project.

New role at Doña Paula for Atkin’s ‘Viticulturalist of the Year’

Published: 26 May, 2020

Doña Paula Estate’s Martín Kaiser has taken on a new role as director of viticulture and winemaking at Doña Paula, building on 14 years as viticulturalist at this Santa Rita Estate’s-owned Argentinian winery.

Saperavi trials among host of ‘experimental’ measures in Banfi sustainability programme

Published: 14 April, 2020

Leading Tuscan producer Castello Banfi is pushing viticultural boundaries as part of its wider commitment to advancing sustainability, with hybrid grapes and interlopers such as Georgia’s Saperavi on the cards.

Friday Read: Why we shouldn’t be grubbing up bush vines

Published: 07 February, 2020

“Don’t grub up bush vines!” was the resounding advice from Pedro Ballesteros MW at the new Barcelona Wine Week this week, where he cited Catalan Garnatxa producers as examples to follow in the need for a new approach in viticulture to tackle climate change.

Essex and East Anglia primed for viticultural expansion say climate change researchers

Published: 28 January, 2020

Climate change researchers have pegged Essex and Norfolk as the next major areas to plant as warmer summers extend the area where grapes can be grown productively in the UK.

Effects of climate change highlighted by new World Atlas of Wine

Published: 20 September, 2019

Climate change has transformed wine production globally, according to the latest edition of the World Atlas of Wine.

Plumpton launches nationwide viticultural apprentice scheme

Published: 18 September, 2019

Plumpton College is looking for UK wine producers to take part in the pilot group for its first nationwide viticultural apprenticeship.

Fit for the future

Published: 26 June, 2019

Maison Martell has formed a dynamic partnership aimed at preparing its vineyards for climate breakdown, as Alison Reid, of ethical-hedonist.com, reports.