Sussex Vineyards

Sussex Vineyards
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British Wine CEO hails “dramatic” growth

Both vineyard plantings and wine sales are on a dynamic upward trajectory in Britain, according to a new report.

“There seems no deceleration in the pace of innovation, product development and consumer engagement,” said Simon Thorpe MW, CEO of WineGB at a press briefing in London today. His statement is backed by impressive growth figures: “Hectarage has more than doubled in just eight years and more than quadrupled since 2000,” announces the just-published WineGB Industry Report. It also charts a 265% increase in the direct-to-consumer sales channel over the past two years, clearly helped along by the pandemic-induced lockdowns, representing 57% of wine sales in 2021.

Sales split

Total sales in 2019 amounted to 5.5 millon bottles. In 2020 that grew to 7.1 million and 9.3 million bottles in 2021. The growth was split into a 219% increase in cellar door sales and 450% growth in online sales. Exports accounted for a mere 4% of sales in 2021. The top countries among the 30 export markets were Norway, USA, Sweden, Japan and Hong Kong. Sparkling wines represent 63% of wines sold with still wines now accounting for 37%. Interestingly, the annual production of 8.95 million bottles in 2021 is just below the total sales figure of 9.3 million bottles, offering great sales and development potential for the burgeoning industry. “For the first time in the modern wine era in this country sales were higher than production,” Thorpe said. “What a young industry we have.”

Vineyards

Vineyard hectarage has increased by 70% over the past five years and the UK now has 3,758ha of vines, not yet including plantings made in 2022 which are estimated at between 300-440ha. In fact, 97% of vines have been planted since 2000, Thorpe said. Chardonnay is the most planted grape variety with 1,179ha, followed by 1,164ha of Pinot Noir and 327ha of Pinot Meunier. This trio represents 82% of plantings, clearly showing the predominance of sparkling wine production. Nonetheless, still wine production is becoming more important, as is wine tourism. 

Anne Krebiehl MW
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