As English Wine Week (21 to 29 June) gets underway, the spotlight is firmly on one of the UK’s fastest-growing rural industries, with producers calling for reform in key areas to unlock English wine’s full potential.
A new report by planning consultancy Lichfields, Cultivating Success – Planning for Wine Tourism and the Visitor Economy, outlines how the current planning system is creating obstacles for growth in areas such as tasting rooms, visitor centres and on-site accommodation as essential infrastructure is often delayed or denied due to red tape.
Wine tourism already contributes £213m (just under half of the industry’s total £51m) annually to the UK economy, while the sector itself consists of over 1,000 vineyards and 200 wineries producing more than 21 million bottles a year. Tourism is vital for long-term sustainability, yet inconsistent and rigid planning rules are holding back growth, particularly in protected areas like the Green Belt and National Landscapes.
“Vineyards are deeply integrated into the rural landscape and planning applications need to be adaptable. A more tailored, flexible strategy can allow vineyards to expand sustainably, providing significant rural economic benefits without compromising these valued landscapes,” Lichfields’ planning director Hannah Whitney said.
The call for a new planning framework is supported by WineGB. CEO Nicola Bates added to the chorus by highlighting the sector’s potential to boost rural economies and jobs, with employment forecast to grow by 50% by 2025. “Planning hurdles continue to limit growth opportunities. Collaboration and early engagement with planning authorities can help secure the future of UK wine,” she said.
Despite these structural issues, English Wine Week is also a time of celebration, with many wineries showcasing their latest innovations and community focused events.
In North Norfolk, Nest Farmhouse is marking the occasion with its first-ever wine tasting evening on June 26, joining forces with Burn Valley and Cobble Hill Vineyards.
Meanwhile in West Sussex, Roebuck Estates is raising the bar with the launch of its Rare Expressions No.96, a 2014 vintage sparkler aged for 96 months. The cuvee retails for £95, with only 1,625 bottles available.
“Our Roebuck Rare Expressions No.96 comes from the fantastic 2014 vintage and is testament to the virtues of patience,” explained Jake Wicks, head of viticulture at Roebuck Estates. “We tasted the wine every year to assess its evolution in bottle, a process that quickly proved that ageing sparkling wines is not linear. Now it felt like the perfect moment to disgorge it.”
Sustainability is also at the forefront of the South Downs National Park, which now accounts for 44% of all UK wine production. Vineyards here are pioneering climate action with support from local authorities. A £50,000 fund administered by the South Downs Trust has enabled projects ranging from solar-powered systems and biodiversity ponds to rainwater harvesting and cover-cropping to reduce fertiliser use.
“The South Downs has become one of Britain’s premier winemaking regions and it’s a sector that is growing quickly, in part because of climate change and warmer summers,” Chris Hannon, sustainable business lead for the South Downs National Park, said.
“It’s important that viticulture grows in an environmentally sustainable way and that’s where this funding can really help.
One standout initiative from the area comes from The Ghost at The Feast in Chichester, which is launching a closed-loop bottling system that reuses bottles on site, drastically cutting glass-related emissions. Other beneficiaries from the climate action grant include Tinwood Estate, Nutbourne Vineyards, Wiston Estate and Roebuck Estates. The later has recently accelerated its biodiversity efforts, using the funds to create a wildlife-friendly pond and plant native species to support insects, birds and mammals.
Others supporting English Wine Week include:
• Heathrow is running special offers on its English wine range.
• As well as collaborating with WineGB on a competition to win the ultimate English Wine Weekend, PIG Hotels are also holding a special Summer Wine Feast on 25 June showcasing English wine.
• VisitBritain will be supporting English Wine Week including a special programme launch.
• Fortnum & Mason are holding an English wine showcase, with over 30 different expressions featured along with a 10% discount on all English wines.
• Majestic Wine is offering multi-buy discounts on an extensive range of English wine.
• The Wine Society has put together a special English sparkling wine collection at a discounted price until July 4.
• Waitrose is celebrating English wine week with almost 100 different wines available to buy, Tesco is offering a 25% discount on six bottles for Clubcard holders, while Aldi has discounts on its English wine range available until June 25.
• Riedel has supported English Wine Week with its English sparkling wine glass used in the English Wine Week logo design.
