London Wine Fair (LWF) has announced it expects an almost five-fold increase in UK producers this year, compared to 2025.
The news comes in the context of the fair’s inaugural Host Nation initiative, which is set to shine a spotlight on British producers, including English and Welsh wine.
LWF added that the English Wine stand has now doubled in size after the original stand sold out. Expectations are that almost 100 UK producers will sign up for May.
Wine estates that have come on board since the acquisition of LWF by Vindustrious include: 1276 Wines, Balfour, Bolney, Chapel Down, Everflyht, Flint Vineyards, Roebuck, Sandridge Barton and Williams Family Wine.
On the upcoming fair, Jordan Painter, sales director at Balfour Winery, said: “Balfour Winery, one of the UK’s leading wineries, is delighted to be making a return to the London Wine Fair this year as part of the fair’s spotlight on home nation producers.”
Michael Kennedy, CEO at Roebuck Estates, added: “We are thrilled to be exhibiting at the 2026 London Wine Fair for the first time ever. Building on our success in both domestic and export markets, we are very much looking forward to showing our individual Roebuck vintage sparkling wines to existing and potential new partners from the UK and further afield.”
Wine GB
Wine GB, which is supporting the Host Nation area with an educational focus, likewise spoke out in support of the show.
Nicola Bates, Wine GB’s CEO said: “Wine GB is delighted to be returning to London Wine Fair in what will be a landmark year, with the show’s inaugural Host Nation initiative. Our participation is key to supporting our exhibitors and also wider members, as we bang the drum for the whole category.”
At the same time, in the wider English wine world, Wine GB announced the launch of its new Entrants Guide this week, a 104-page document which provides guidance on UK viticulture and wine production. Available through Wine GB membership, the guide has been dedicated to the memory of Peter Hall, one of the pioneers of the English wine movement.
It features a pre-investment business check, a focus on sustainable certifications and updates on the winemaking process.
On this, Bates said: “The new Entrants Guide is an incredibly important and significant document for anyone thinking of starting a vineyard. Making wine is an expensive business, becoming more so with increases in taxes, labour, equipment and bottling costs. We want to ensure that members enter the sector with their eyes open as it can be as hard as it is rewarding.”
