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English vineyards in the Malvern Hills have announced the first ever wine festival for the region. This is a new event that should give local producers a chance to showcase their wines to visitors and trade attendees.
The 2026 WineGB Awards have highlighted a significant leap forward for English and Welsh wine production, with judges noting that the industry has 'outgrown the box' and is now producing world-class wines across multiple styles. Langham Wine Estate dominated again with its Corallian Classic Cuvée scoring an impressive 99 points, while Hattingley Valley's Kings Cuvée 2017 achieved 98 points. The results show sparkling wines remain the standout category, but still wines like Blackbook Winery's Pygmalion Chardonnay are emerging as genuine contenders, signalling a maturing and increasingly diverse UK wine sector.
Fruit Focus is giving UK wine industry its moment in the spotlight with a brand new dedicated stage at this year's event, marking the show's 40th anniversary. The stage will showcase cutting-edge topics like robotics in viticulture, climate change adaptation, and carbon reduction strategies, reflecting how seriously the UK wine sector is taking sustainability and innovation. It's a clear sign that British wine production is gaining real recognition on the global stage.
The Canned Wine Group is raising an interesting question at this year's London Wine Fair: does being one of the first to market with canned wine actually pay off? It's a timely discussion as the canned wine sector continues to grow, and this trade show appearance suggests the conversation around alternative packaging is becoming a serious part of industry strategy.
The London Wine Fair has announced record-breaking sessions lined up for 2026, signalling strong momentum for the UK's flagship wine industry event. The expanded programme reflects growing demand from trade professionals and exhibitors keen to connect and showcase their offerings. It's an encouraging sign of vitality in the wine sector heading into the new year.
The Vineyards of the Surrey Hills collective is launching its first dedicated wine week from 30 May to 7 June 2026, bringing together seven regional vineyards including Denbies Wine Estate and Albury Organic Vineyard. The event will feature tastings, vineyard tours, and wine festivals across the North Downs, showcasing English sparkling wines, whites, rosés and reds against the backdrop of the Surrey Hills landscape. It's a celebration of how England's wine regions are increasingly collaborating to attract visitors and showcase the quality of their wines.
Hannah Tovey has taken full ownership of the London Wine Fair through her new company Vindustrious, marking the first time the long-running trade event operates as an independent business. Four months into the buyout, the 2026 edition is already tracking ahead of last year's bookings, with the fair expanding its offerings through new initiatives like the Host Nation programme and a co-location with BREW//LDN, all set to take place at Olympia from 18-20 May.
WineGB is bringing its largest ever stand to Wine Paris (February 2026), with 16 English wine producers showcasing their offerings to international buyers and press. They're shipping 4.2 tonnes of wine to the show and launching their first international 'Create New Traditions – Drink English Wine' campaign, capitalising on a strong year for exports that surged 35% in 2025. The event includes an exclusive reception in Paris's Faubourg Saint-Germain to help producers connect with key distributors and importers across European and global markets.
WineGB's launched their 2026 photography competition with some fresh tweaks to the categories and it's a solid opportunity for producers and photographers to get their best shots of British wine in front of industry eyes.
The Welsh Vineyards Association held their 2025 awards in November with nearly 60 entries, and it sounds like they really pulled out the stops – Oz Clarke was the star turn, delivering a rousing speech comparing Welsh wine's trajectory to Tasmania and New Zealand's rise to prominence. It's a solid indicator that the Welsh wine scene is gaining genuine momentum and industry credibility, with the event bringing together serious judges and producers to celebrate what's becoming a genuinely competitive regional offering.
The London Wine and Spirits Competitions are worth your attention if you're thinking about entering—they're not just about getting a shiny medal, but they can actually help you land listings with premium retailers and on-trade venues. The Buyer's breaking down how the judging works and what makes these competitions stand out from the usual international award circuit, plus there's an early bird deadline at the end of November if you're considering a submission.