“People have no idea we make wine in Wales but there’s a thriving industry under our noses.”
To mark the start of Welsh Wine Week (30 May – 8 June 2025), the first and only Welsh wine podcast is launching with an episode focusing on the history of wine in Wales… starting with the Romans.
Uncorked: The Welsh Wine Podcast, featuring Jamie Matthews, the podcast host, Sara Hobday, a wine expert and Angela Muir, a historian, is setting out to explore the Welsh wine industry and the characters behind the bottles.
Sara Hobday, owner of Vin Van Cymru, an independent wine shop and tasting events company said: “The Welsh wine industry is quickly becoming a really valuable part of our economy, and a brilliant asset for tourism too. I’ve been stocking Welsh wines for the past five years and have had the chance to judge at the Welsh Wine Awards. In that time, it’s been amazing to watch the industry grow and gain momentum.
“More and more of my customers are curious about Welsh wine – they want to taste it, learn about it, and discover what’s happening on our vineyards.
“When the idea of starting a podcast came up, I knew I had to be involved. It’s such an exciting time to be part of this story. Every day I meet people who want to know more about wine, and I hope we can help shine a light on Welsh wine and share some of the incredible stories behind it.”
Welsh wine and the economy
Wales has a thriving and growing wine industry, estimated to be over 50 vineyards, typically generating an average revenue of around £337,000 per annum for the Welsh economy.
Employment within the Welsh vineyard sector is closely linked to tourism, and research for the Welsh Government shows that there are approximately 150 people employed on a part time basis within the Welsh vineyard and tourism sector, and a further 70 people employed on a full-time basis. Some data suggest the figure might well be closer to 400.
Raising awareness
Jamie Matthews, host of Uncorked: The Welsh Wine Podcast, said: “As someone with an interest in wine, I was stunned when I learned that right on our doorstep we have over 50 vineyards. There are also so many great characters behind the winemaking and it’s going to be great fun to meet them and hear their stories.
“People have no idea we make wine in Wales but there’s a thriving industry under our noses. It’s time to change that. I’m hoping that our podcast will raise awareness, in an accessible way, of a very special industry that is going from strength to strength.”
Dr Angela Muir, a historian specialising Welsh social and cultural history in the eighteenth century said: “When we think about Welsh history, wine making is rarely a topic that comes to mind. As an historian of Wales and an avid wine drinker, I was excited to be involved with this podcast because it brings those two interests together in really interesting and engaging ways. I’ll be offering a bit of historical context to each episode, and occasionally offering stories and historical connections that we hope our listeners will find fun and engaging.”
Launching on the eve of Welsh Wine Week, over the coming year, Uncorked will work with vineyards and winemakers to promote and support the Welsh wine industry.
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