The WineGB Trade and Press Tasting took place on Monday 7 September 2026 at a brand new venue in central London. Just a stones throw from the world famous Borough Market No 1 Old Billingsgate Walk proved the ideal place for the wine trade to come together. With a mix of history and modernity the impressive venue enabled plenty of space to engage with all the producers and the growing stream of visitors packing the venue created an atmosphere that was both positive and enthusiastic.
The WineGB trade tasting produced something for everyone and a seminar area added to the success of the event this year. Alongside a hospitality panel discussion and a tourism panel discussion visitors could also experience a Sensory Masterclass given by glass manufacturer Reidel.
WineGB were emphasising the importance of the Back British Vineyards campaign. With the message to back British agriculture, back British tourism and back British enterprise, the campaign is designed to ensure that the growing English and Welsh wine sector receives government support in the form of duty savings for cellar door sales. According to WineGB these savings would allow for businesses to reinvest for the future.
The venue allowed space for so many vineyards and wineries to showcase the best, the novel and the new wines they have produced. It was impossible to get from one end of the room to the other without witnessing numerous reunions as friends and colleagues chatted and shared experiences. The atmosphere in the room was incredible and it was lovely to hear so many conversations regarding the 2026 harvest – in numerous conversations the harvest had already begun and would soon be completed.
Andy Beamish of Mallard Point which is four miles from the historic town of Stamford in England’s smallest county of Rutland explained that the vineyard had seen Veraison on July 11. Mallard Point offer a unique bottle return scheme for the aluminium bottles that contain their wines. The latest wine to be released is Crossing Lines 2025, a red wine made from Cabernet Jura. The Cabernet Jura grape is a PIWI varietal was first planted at Mallard Point in 2022. “I really agree with the concept of PIWI varieties and have not had to spray the vineyard during the 2026 season,” explained Andy. Made in a low intervention style utilising wild yeast and unfined and unfiltered, the resulting wine is a striking purple/ruby colour. The wine has a silky mouthfeel with berry notes and is priced at £25 retail.
Plumpton College took the opportunity to introduce the trade to its new wine labels. Sarah Clarke, Wine Sales Manager and James Holmes Wine Business lecturer at Plumpton College were on hand to discuss the new labelling with the many interested visitors from wine writers to trade buyers. “This year is the centenary of Plumpton College and we wanted to highlight that the wines are an essential part of the college but also hold their own identity. The wines are made by an extraordinary winemaking team led by Deepika Koushik assisted by Eleanor Scott,” James explained.
Sandy and Adam Booth from B58 winery were able to introduce visitors to B58 Red 2024 made from a blend of 30% Shiraz 30% Merlot 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Jura. The Tenant farmers on the Beaulieu Estate have utilised components from their strawberry growing business to enable the ripening of varieties that are traditionally associated with warmer areas of the world. With polytunnels and reusing the coir growing medium as a way of keeping the vines warm B58 also have a 100% Gerwurtztraminer and will be bottling a dessert wine in November.
The new venue enabled regional tasting tables to be interspersed among the other exhibitors. These tables allow for vineyards and wineries to group together and showcase what different regions around England and Wales have to offer. The WineGB South East table showcased wines from Nine Oaks Vineyard, Warehorne Vineyard and The Brown Farmer. Regional wine tables provide a vital opportunity for smaller vineyards to showcase their wines to the wider trade.
Nadim Safhar and his daughter Iman undertake all jobs by hand at their 1.5 hectare vineyard and Nadim explained how much they enjoy working with people from the local community on their farm in Canterbury. Nadim planted vines in 2021 and The Brown Farmer showcased two wines at the trade tasting, a Bacchus 2025 and a Rosé 2025. “I really enjoy white and rose wines and my family moved to the UK after World War II and in my previous working life I was a Harley Street dentist, so this endeavor represents a return to my farming heritage not in the Himalayan foothills but in the Kentish countryside,” said Nadim.
Biddenden Vineyards in Kent have a long history and are well known for producing wines with a difference each vintage. Newly released is the Gamay Noir 2025 priced at £22.50 Biddenden only produce this wine in exceptional years. A chillable red the Gamay Noir is a limited production wine which is very fruit forward. General Manager and Winemaker at Biddenden Vineyards Tom Barnes said: “We have a new Pinot Noir made with American Oak we will release it possibly later this year or early in 2027.” Vineyard magazine team were privileged to be offered a tasting of this special wine which has outstanding depth and a balanced tannin structure.
