United Kingdom - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Gusbourne unveils hybrid distribution partnership with Enotria&Coe

Published: 20 November, 2024

Leading sparkling wine producer Gusbourne has joined forces with Enotria&Coe to expand the brand's presence in the UK on-trade.

WineGB launches hub to boost diversity in industry

Published: 06 November, 2024

WineGB has introduced its ‘People Support Hub’ to mark the close of its 30 Days of Sustainable Action campaign, promoting equity, diversity and inclusion within the wine sector.

WineGB launches sustainability report as SWGB covers 40% of UK vines

Published: 24 October, 2024

WineGB has released its first Sustainability Impact Report, coinciding with the International Day of Climate Action. The report highlights the rapid growth of the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB) scheme, which now covers 43% of the UK's vineyard hectarage. Launched four years ago, SWGB encourages sustainable practices aimed at reducing carbon emissions in vineyards and wineries.

WineGB urges government to remove ‘competitive disadvantage’ ahead of budget

Published: 17 October, 2024

With just two weeks remaining until the autumn Budget, WineGB has called on the UK government to prioritise the English and Welsh wine industry by reducing excise duty and offering targeted support to boost growth.

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.

Lea & Sandeman expands English wine range with Black Chalk addition

Published: 08 October, 2024

Lea & Sandeman has expanded its 30-producer sparkling wine portfolio with the addition of Hampshire-based Black Chalk. The Test Valley winery becomes the independent wine merchant and wholesaler’s main on-trade partner for English wines.

Berry Bros and Hambledon raise £170,000 for MND charity

Published: 27 September, 2024

Over 100 employees from Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant, and Hambledon Vineyard took on a 100km walk across English vineyards, raising more than £170,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The foundation funds research to find a cure for Motor Neuron Disease (MND) and provides support to those diagnosed, as well as their families.

Sweet dreams with the Sugrues at their Sussex winery launch

Published: 24 September, 2024

Winemaking power duo Dermot and Ana Sugrue finally have a permanent home for their Sussex wine project, Sugrue South Downs, with a newly opened winery now sitting at the top of Wivelsfield’s Bee Tree vineyard.

Hugh Johnson invests in Sugrue South Downs sparkling wine

Published: 09 September, 2024

Hugh Johnson OBE, a leading figure in the world of wine writing and one of the UK's most recognised wine commentators, has invested in Sugrue South Downs, the award-winning English sparkling wine producer led by Dermot and Ana Sugrue. The exact sum of Johnson’s investment remains undisclosed.

WineGB urges government support to boost wine exports

Published: 05 September, 2024

WineGB is calling on the government to increase support for promoting British wine sales abroad, as exports have seen significant growth. The proportion of sales from exports has doubled from 4% in 2021 to 8% in 2023, reflecting growing international interest in English and Welsh wines.

New tool helps locate England's nearest vineyards

Published: 03 September, 2024

Wine remains a popular choice for Brits, with a growing number now turning to homegrown options.

Squerryes Vineyard expands with new winery and winemaker

Published: 20 August, 2024

Squerryes, a family-run vineyard in Westerham, has revealed plans for expansion, including the appointment of Tom Jones as its new winemaker, who will start next month.

The Pig Hotels launch wines from their own vineyards

Published: 13 August, 2024

The Pig Hotels have unveiled their first wines made from vineyards located in West Sussex and on the Kent-East Sussex border.

Ridgeview earns Gold for Sustainable Practices in Wine Production

Published: 13 August, 2024

After nearly 30 years of producing award-winning wines, Ridgeview, a leading English sparkling wine producer, has been awarded gold by Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB).

Langham takes its low intervention revolution to Liberty

Published: 12 August, 2024

Dorset’s Langham Wine Estate and distributor Liberty Wines have joined forces in an exclusive partnership which will see the latter distribute the former’s portfolio of low intervention, pro-oxidative wines.

Ridgeview named official sparkling wine supplier for Goodwood Estate

Published: 25 July, 2024

Ridgeview has been named the Official English Sparkling Wine Supplier for the Goodwood Estate, with wines available at Goodwood Estate properties for the next three years.

Plumpton College launches 15 wine courses for professionals and enthusiasts

Published: 22 July, 2024

Plumpton College’s wine division has launched 15 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) short specialised courses for industry professionals and wine enthusiasts looking to enhance their expertise.

Record number of gold medals at WineGB awards

Published: 22 July, 2024

Wines from 13 counties were honoured with trophies at this year’s WineGB Awards, which awarded a record number of Gold medals.

Blenheim Palace seeks winery partner for co-branded wine production

Published: 11 July, 2024

Blenheim Palace, the 18th-century estate and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, has announced a unique opportunity for an established winery to enter a long-term partnership to produce co-branded wines on the Palace's land.

UK vineyards surpass 1,000 as wine sales rise 10%

Published: 04 July, 2024

WineGB has announced significant growth in the UK’s wine industry, with the number of vineyards reaching 1,030, a 9.2% increase from the previous year. According to the Food Standards Agency Wine Team, English and Welsh wine sales also grew by 10% from 2022.