What future do these varieties have in English and Welsh wine? Asks Vine-Works.

A spirit of adventure and a desire to help transform the reputation of the Languedoc from a low-quality, high-volume wine producer to a high-quality, low-volume wine producer, took Charles and Ruth Simpson to France and Domaine de Sainte Rose, nearly 20 years ago. Vineyard speaks to Charles and Ruth to find out how that same desire to be part of an emerging and evolving region brought them back to the UK in 2012 – with their aspiration this time to help drive the extraordinary development that has seen England and Wales grow from being a little known and insignificant wine producer, to the most exciting and dynamic wine producing area in the world.

Cherry Constable of Vine Works looks at harvest preparations.

The wet weather, rationed armoury – and limited opportunity to use it – have created the perfect storm for downy mildew. Vineyard speaks to some of the experts for their tips on tackling this fungus-like disease with its potential to cause significant crop losses.  

Harmony and contrast are the juxtaposition of Squerryes ancestral estate with its modern and contemporary brand subtly creating places where people can connect with the wines, with fine dining and with events. Vineyard discovers how the spirit of the family motto ‘Licet Esse Beatis’, meaning ‘It is permitted to be joyful’ is at the heart of everything encountered at Squerryes. 

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The July editor’s column in Vineyard alluded to a wine estate that is poised to shake the UK’s future with its visionary still wines. Situated in probably the most exciting viticultural region of the country, Danbury Ridge Wine Estate in Essex is already astonishing the wine world with its newly released Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vintages – stealing the spotlight from the celebrated regions of Burgundy, Oregon and New Zealand – putting Essex, and the UK, firmly on the world stage with these noble varieties. 

The 2021 planting season was a big one for Vine-Works Ltd. There have been a lot of ‘firsts’ for the business. Vineyards in far flung locations across the UK, record year, vine deliveries in December, post-Brexit vine importing, UK plant passports and the first year ever that Vine-Works has run two planting teams.

The Wiston Estate has enjoyed considerable success in recent years. Vineyard spoke to one of the founders to hear how it has achieved so much in such a short time.