Sparkling wine has great success on the world stage, but still English wines are gaining ground. How do you see the balance between these categories evolving in the coming years?
“There’s no doubt that sparkling wine has led the charge,” says Nicola. “What we’re seeing today is the result of many decades of investment, passion and craftsmanship.”
The growth figures alone are striking. In 2018, one of the UK’s largest harvests on record—around 3.3 million bottles of English and Welsh wine were sold. Following the most recent harvest, that number has risen to over 9 million bottles, representing a dramatic increase in a short period of time. Many would say that the foundations for this success were laid more than 30 years ago when Nyetimber won the Best Sparkling Wine in the World at the IWSC a major international award, becoming the first English sparkling wine to outperform Champagne in blind tastings. That moment proved pivotal, changing perceptions and setting a new benchmark for quality.
“Since then, producers have put in years of work—planting the right sites, refining techniques, and committing to long-term quality,” Nicola explains. “That thinking is now paying off.”
International recognition has been crucial. English sparkling wine is now regularly discussed alongside Champagne and other established regions—an extraordinary achievement for such a young wine-producing country.
“We shouldn’t underestimate how significant that is,” Nicola says. “Champagne is very happy to be known for one product, and so should we be. Being recognised globally for high-quality sparkling wine is a huge asset.” Today, around two-thirds of English and Welsh wine production is sparkling, much of it made using the traditional method, though Charmat and other approaches also feature, contributing to a diverse and increasingly confident sparkling category.
At the same time, still wines have made noticeable strides over the past five to ten years. “We’re now able to demonstrate strength across all categories,” Nicola explains. “That’s a really important and exciting change.”
The UK grows more than 99 different grape varieties, and producers are increasingly open to experimentation. Chardonnay has emerged as a particular highlight, but other varieties are beginning to attract attention including Albariño, Bacchus and Rondo.
Improved storytelling through independent merchants and retailers has helped still wines reach a wider audience. While sparkling is likely to remain the sector’s flagship, the growing confidence and creativity in still wines adds depth, diversity, and resilience to the English wine industry as a whole.
With rising costs across the board, how can government support the industry long term?
Like many sectors, English wine faces mounting pressures—from labour shortages and energy costs to glass prices, business rates, and minimum wage increases.
The first is regulation. WineGB is calling for stronger protection of the term “British wine,” ensuring it applies only to wines made from grapes grown in Britain.
The second is access to grants and subsidies. Unlike producers in France, Spain or Germany, UK wineries currently lack comparable support to invest in vineyards, wineries, skills, and research.
The third is wine tourism. WineGB is proposing a Wine Tourism Relief that would allow visitors to buy wine at vineyards without paying duty, enabling producers to reinvest directly into their businesses.
“Wine tourism creates skilled rural jobs, builds loyalty, and supports long-term growth,” Nicola emphasised.
How does English wine contribute to rural employment and skills?
English wine is increasingly recognised as an important source of rural employment.
Winemaking itself continues to attract strong interest, while hospitality roles are expanding rapidly. WineGB research shows that 90% of member businesses expect to increase employment over the next three years, with many focusing on cellar door and visitor experiences.
“These are skilled hospitality roles where people communicate the story and create memorable experiences.”
What practical steps are vineyards taking on sustainability, and how does WineGB support this?
Sustainability is now non-negotiable. For English wine producers, climate awareness is particularly acute. “We are fundamentally a product of climate,” Nicola says. “Every decision we make—from site selection to vineyard management—has long-term environmental implications.”
WineGB supports members at every stage of this journey. They offer a free carbon calculator, helping vineyards and wineries measure their emissions so they can take informed action to reduce them. In addition, practical toolkits provide guidance on best practices for energy use, water management, waste reduction, and packaging choices. Around half of members have already measured their carbon footprint, and many are actively implementing strategies to cut it year-on-year.
WineGB also runs an independently audited certification scheme - Sustainable Wines of Great Britain - allowing members to demonstrate their sustainability credentials to consumers, distributors, and the wider trade. “It’s not enough to just make improvements,” Nicola explains. “Being able to show those improvements builds trust and reinforces our story of responsibility.”
Looking back at 2025, what were the key highlights—and what’s ahead for 2026?
Rather than a single moment, Nicola describes 2025 as a year of foundation-building. WineGB revamped its website into a practical knowledge hub, refreshed its branding, launched the “Create New Traditions” campaign, and strengthened engagement with government.
Looking ahead to 2026, priorities include a new vineyard entrance guide, expanded trade tastings beyond London to cities such as Manchester and Edinburgh, and a full-scale campaign around wine tourism relief, particularly during English Wine Week.
