Chris Wilson had been working as a wine journalist for more than a decade, so setting up his own winery was not so much a change in career as a diversification.

Young and forward-thinking winemaker Gareth Davies has led the charge with English Charmat – creating the ‘slightly illegitimate’, but now well recognised brand, Fitz.

Daniel Ham started Offbeat Wines in 2018 to provide freedom for his creativity and to make grape-driven expressive wines. 

French-born winemaker Corinne Seely believes she has one of the greatest jobs possible and for her English wine means innovation, freedom, challenges – and the future. 

Richard Lewis must have one of the best jobs in the world. He works in the beautiful, ancient and diverse landscape of the Kent North Downs, and has the privilege of contributing to the legacy of the farmland and local communities. Richard’s role is a busy one but leaves just enough time for his other passion rugby.

The launch of the book, Sussex by the Glass, on International Women’s Day 2021 spotlights the success of two skilled and enterprising women, Sam Linter, Bolney Estate and Tamara Roberts, Ridgeview Estate. Sussex by the Glass, by award-winning wine writer Liz Sagues, focusses on one county and two pioneer winemaking families, both rare in the modern history of English wine, being multi-generation businesses – and now headed by the daughters of their founders. 

During the lockdowns both businesses and consumers have had to take the plunge and dive online into a more digital world. Many vineyard businesses have found this to be a harmonious and rewarding transition and are achieving good direct to consumer sales, but some may not have fared so well. Vineyard asks what is an effective website and why is it a must for a successful wine business going forward?   

Vine Care UK is a long-established leading provider of vineyard services to many of the nation’s vinegrowers and is well ahead of the curve when it comes to anticipating the future needs of the industry. Vineyard finds out what’s new with Vine Care UK and the UK’s first trading platform – ‘The Grape Exchange’.

Championing our industry, inspiring and educating, there are many remarkable women growing great grapes, making fantastic wines and running impressive businesses.  These women are vital cogs in the wheel from ground to glass. Vineyard speaks to just a few of the very many strong successful women who love their jobs, are having fun, making a difference – and are role models encouraging more women into Great British wine. 

Kicking off Vineyard’s new series profiling the careers of people working in UK vineyards and wineries is Danielle Whitehead, Marketing & Communications Manager at Roebuck Estates in West Sussex.