Chris Buckley on Changes in UK Viticulture

This show was published Friday, February 21, 2025

Overview

This week Chris Buckley of VineWorks give us an insight into the changes that are happening in viticulture in the UK. The industry has gained a huge depth of knowledge and professionalism in vinegrowing in recent years, which has largely been driven by Plumpton College in the training up of people in viticulture and winemaking. Support businesses have sprung up that didn't exist 15-20 years back, and these days producers are far more commercially driven vs the cottage industry of 40 years ago.

Though sparkling wines have undoubtedly driven the market (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier) in the last 10 years, still wine plantings have increased led by Bacchus, Pinot Gris and early ripening Pinot Noir. Divico, Cabaret Noir and Pinotin are the main PIWI grapes that are being planted for red wines.

Another trend has been mechanisation and robotics, increasingly being used in UK vineyards. We talk about pruning machines that will help speed up tasks, though much of the vineyard work still requires manual labour.

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