Producers - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Journey's End unveils significant rebrand

Published: 19 January, 2026

South African producer Journey's End will henceforth be known as Gabb Family Wines, retaining the original name for its flagship estate in Stellenbosch.

Old Vine Registry vineyard registrations double in year to 9,400

Published: 14 January, 2026

The Old Vine Registry, the world’s largest database of historic vine plantings, has announced that it has reached 9,393 registered vineyards across 42 countries to date. The figure represents an impressive surge in registrations, with 4,000 total entries this time last year by comparison.

Catena Institute of Wine launches low & no range

Published: 17 December, 2025

The Catena Institute of Wine – the research organisation founded by Dr Laura Catena – has unveiled a new low & no alcohol range, Domaine EdeM (Elena de Mendoza). The Institute’s “science-led” approach has seen them develop four fresh SKUs.

The Old Vine Conference showcases the beauty of age

Published: 10 December, 2025

From France to Australia, by way of many territories between, the shrinking global vinescape has become enough of a concern that its impact was reported in The Economist this November. With wine drinking in decline, cash-strapped consumers reining in spend and thus an industry feeling the pain of oversupply, vineyards are being ripped out, with other, more profitable crops often being planted. And a troubling fact – at least where future quality wine production is concerned – is that older vines, by dint of the fact that they are less productive and sometimes harder to work, are often first in the firing line.

AGW launches simplified Certified Regenerative standards

Published: 08 December, 2025

A Greener World (AGW), a nonprofit certification organisation, has launched an overhaul of its Certified Regenerative by AGW standard, making the requirements clearer and more user-friendly, while maintaining the rigour that lends it credibility.

Ribera del Duero harvest: Abundant yield despite weather challenges

Published: 03 December, 2025

The Ribera del Duero DO has unveiled its results for the 2025 harvest. Although challenging weather and mildew marked the growing season, the resulting crop was the second most abundant in the past 10 years.

Rioja: Region’s second largest co-op set to become LLC

Published: 03 December, 2025

Bodegas Sonsierra, the 500ha producer from the Rioja Alta’s San Vicente de la Sonsierra, is set to transition its ownership model from cooperative to limited liability company (LLC).

The future of whisky is indie

Published: 19 November, 2025

Brighton’s Cut Your Wolf Loose is a whisky bar with a difference. Besides the glowing neon ‘whisky’ sign in the window, edgy decor and graffiti-adorned walls, the world’s most recognisable brands of Scotch and bourbon are nowhere to be seen.

Viña Concha y Toro celebrates revenue growth as premium brands drive performance

Published: 05 November, 2025

Multinational wine producer Viña Concha y Toro has reported a strong third quarter, unveiling a sales increase of 10% - its eighth consecutive quarter of growth.

‘Turbo autumn’ sees top German producers negotiate early ripening

Published: 03 November, 2025

The German wine association Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP) – which represents around 200 of the nation’s top producers – has announced the completion of this year’s harvest.

Champagne approves Chardonnay Rose as grape variety

Published: 23 October, 2025

The Comité Champagne has announced that Chardonnay Rose has become an authorised grape variety in the famed region. The grape – a natural mutation of Chardonnay Blanc – is the eighth grape variety to be recognised in the Champagne appellation specifications (cahier de charges).

The Fladgate Partnership’s table wine turn

Published: 08 October, 2025

The growth in exports of Portuguese wines to the UK over the past 10 years has been nothing less than remarkable. According to data from Wines of Portugal, the overall volume of Portuguese wine sales to the UK almost doubled between 2015 and 2024, rising from 9.6m litres to just shy of 16.9m. Over the same period, the value growth has been even more impressive jumping from just under €21.5m (£18.8m) to well over double that figure at €48.5m (£42.3m). This growth did not go unnoticed at one of Portugal’s most well-known drinks producers – the Fladgate Partnership. In a first for a company whose flagship product Taylor’s Port dates back over 330 years, the producer added table wine to its portfolio in August 2023 after acquiring Ideal Drinks, taking ownership of estates in Bairrada, the Vinho Verde and the Dão.

Promising California harvest in full swing following mild summer

Published: 25 September, 2025

Winemakers in California have begun their harvest following a long, consistent growing season. Grapes were able to mature gradually in 2025 following a mild summer which was preceded by a cool spring.

Chef Angela Hartnett among fresh Sugrue South Downs investors

Published: 22 September, 2025

Sussex winery Sugrue South Downs has announced a new group of investors including well-loved chef Angela Hartnett (pictured, centre).

Familia Torres launches innovative new solar project

Published: 22 September, 2025

Spanish wine heavyweight Familia Torres has announced a pilot solar project at one of its vineyards in the Penedès as part of the Solarwine project.

Italy: Strong harvest anticipated though oversupply fears remain

Published: 11 September, 2025

Italy’s wine sector is expected to produce 47.4m hls of wine this year. The figure, compiled by Assoenologi, ISMEA and the Unione Italiana Vini (UIV), represents an +8% rise compared to 2024’s harvest.

Rhône harvest commences early with 'high-quality vintage' anticipated

Published: 28 August, 2025

The 2025 harvest in the Rhône has commenced, starting 10 days earlier than last year’s grape gathering.

Portugal's Tejo to allow PGI wines at 0.5% alcohol

Published: 27 August, 2025

Tejo Wines has announced updated regulations for the region’s lower-alcohol and dealcoholised wines. The move follows approval by the Tejo General Council (CVR), as well as official recognition by the Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho (IVV).

Prosecco Superiore Consorzio becomes supporter of IMW

Published: 11 August, 2025

The Consorzio Tutela del Vino Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco has become an official supporter of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW).

Alto Agrelo awarded Geographical Indication status

Published: 04 August, 2025

Argentina’s Alto Agrelo has become the fifth wine region in Mendoza’s Luján de Cuyo to receive protected Geographical Indication status from The National Institute of Viticulture (INV).