United Kingdom - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

London Cru acquires Sussex vineyard

Published: 28 June, 2023

London's first urban winery has purchased a vineyard in West Sussex, adjacent to Bolney Estate.

WSTA tells government 'It’s not too late to scrap hikes'

Published: 26 June, 2023

With just one month till the government’s alcohol tax hikes are effective, the Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) has reiterated why the “crippling” duty increases should be scrapped.

Vagabond opens English wine bar South Downs at Gatwick

Published: 23 June, 2023

Coinciding with English Wine Week, Vagabond, the award-winning urban winery has opened its second outlet at Gatwick Airport, South Downs – an English wine bar in the heart of the South Terminal departure lounge.

English Wine Week: Sparkling still on top

Published: 22 June, 2023

Yesterday (21 June), a panel of English wine’s heaviest hitters convened at 67 Pall Mall, chaired by Harpers’ columnist Guy Woodward, to discuss the trajectory of our homegrown wine and its standing on the world stage.

Balfour tells British farmers 'grow grapes to secure your future'

Published: 16 June, 2023

Richard Balfour-Lynn, co-founder of Balfour Winery, one of the UK’s largest English wine producers, has urged British farmers to convert their land to viticulture in the face of climate change and rising demand for grapes.

Wine in the festival spirit

Published: 12 June, 2023

Portable wine formats tend to get overlooked at many of the big music festivals, but there are still plenty of opportunities. James Bayley reports.

Bolney to increase visitor capacity by 120% with expansion

Published: 22 May, 2023

Bolney Wine Estate, one of the UK’s first commercial vineyards, is currently undergoing phase one of an expansion to its hospitality and retail area, which will increase visitor capacity by 120%. The estate remains open to visitors throughout the work, with phase one due to complete in late Summer.

Still wines to the fore at WineGB stall

Published: 16 May, 2023

From Georgia to Greece, to China and Uruguay, the 2023 London Wine Fair (LWF) has showcased many esoteric regions across its vast trade floor. As its home event, it may seem odd to place UK wines in this ‘emerging’ bracket. However, with little penetration beyond a simmering domestic market, the wines of Great Britain are hardly a global phenomenon… yet.

Berkmann takes a deep dive into English wine

Published: 03 May, 2023

UK distributor Berkmann Wine Cellars has welcomed two new agencies into its expanding family of English wineries: Everflyht from Sussex and Hundred Hills from Oxfordshire.

Sam Linter says farewell to Bolney

Published: 20 April, 2023

Bolney Wine Estate’s longstanding chief winemaker is moving on to pursue new opportunities, following a transition period to new owners Freixenet Copestick.

Scotland’s alcohol advertising ban ‘sent back to drawing board’

Published: 19 April, 2023

After significant backlash from the Scottish drinks trade proposals to restrict alcohol advertising north of the border have been, “sent back to the drawing board”, first minister Humza Yousaf has announced.

Emma Rice to work as consultant for burgeoning English wine industry

Published: 17 April, 2023

One of the UK’s most reputable winemakers, Emma Rice has set up her own winemaking consultancy company to help further advance the burgeoning UK wine industry. Rice will provide expertise in winery design, equipment sourcing, sensory evaluation and wine style strategy as part of her consultancy offering.

Balfour outlines ambitious plans for growth

Published: 05 April, 2023

Balfour has revealed plans to double its annual production to one million bottles, made at the 400-acre Hush Heath Estate in Kent.

Campden BRI and AWRI team-up to support growth of UK wine sector

Published: 03 April, 2023

Campden BRI and the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) are teaming up to provide UK wine growers and importers with “cutting-edge insight and knowledge”.

Simon Thorpe MW steps down as WineGB CEO

Published: 03 April, 2023

It is all change for WineGB as the trade organisation announces it is looking for a new CEO.

Roebuck Estates Launches Its ‘Viticulture Academy’

Published: 27 March, 2023

Sussex’s Roebuck Estates, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, has launched its Roebuck Viticulture Academy, a three-day vineyard training programme available exclusively to its trade partners.

Friday read: Hampshire wines making their mark

Published: 24 March, 2023

Ahead of next week’s Vineyards of Hampshire trade tasting, Justin Keay dives into how the wider English wine industry has changed, with regions outside Kent and Sussex growing all the while.

Danbury Ridge shows eastern promise

Published: 21 February, 2023

Essex clays are poised to lead the charge of quality English still wine. Andrew Catchpole reports from Crouch Valley’s Danbury Ridge.

Nyetimber announces America’s Cup partnership

Published: 13 February, 2023

Nyetimber, a leading English sparkling wine producer, has announced its partnership with INEOS Britannia, the British race team challenging for the 37th America’s Cup.

Premium English sparkling wine producer, Gusbourne, reports significant sales growth in 2022

Published: 01 February, 2023

Gusbourne, the Kent and West Sussex-based premium sparkling wine producer, has reported significant sales increases in its unaudited trading update for the 12 months to 31 December 2022.