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Impressive Growth for Leonardslee Family Vineyards

Impressive Growth for Leonardslee Family Vineyards

UK WineGB Sep 1, 2026 News

Leonardslee Family Vineyards has announced strong growth over the past year, with revenue up 51% and trade sales climbing 60% since launching its English Sparkling wines. The Sussex vineyard is capitalising on this success by opening The Drawing Room, a new premium tasting room within Leonardslee House, offering tutored tastings, vineyard tours and private dining events. The expansion taps into 190,000 annual visitors to the estate's gardens and reflects booming demand for English wine tourism experiences.

Read more From Digest #41
Bowen Estate marks 50 vintages in style

Bowen Estate marks 50 vintages in style

Australia & New Zealand Gourmetontheroad Sep 1, 2026 News

Bowen Estate in Coonawarra has released its milestone 50th vintage, honouring co-founder Joy Bowen who passed away in 2024. The family-owned producer, now run by daughter Emma, maintains an unusually disciplined model: just three wines, hand-pruned vines, and no reserve or special releases. The 2024 cabernet sauvignon and shiraz are priced at $36 and offer excellent balance and varietal character, representing strong value for Coonawarra classics.

Read more From Digest #41
2026 Young Winemaker and Young Viticulturist of the Year announced

2026 Young Winemaker and Young Viticulturist of the Year announced

You might also like The Shout Aug 30, 2026 News

New Zealand has announced its 2026 Young Winemaker and Young Viticulturist of the Year. Nick Lamain, 30, from Isabel Estate in Marlborough, took the winemaking title after competing in the programme for five years, whilst 24-year-old Kris Godsall from Cloudy Bay was named Young Viticulturist. The competition tested candidates on technical skills, wine judging, lab work, and sustainability practices, with one competitor notably competing in both categories.

Read more From Digest #41
English wine reaps rewards of heatwave but extreme weather brings risk

English wine reaps rewards of heatwave but extreme weather brings risk

UK Financial Times Aug 29, 2026 News

England's recent heatwaves have delivered a boost to wine quality and yields, rewarding English producers with improved harvest conditions. However, the article raises concerns about the risks extreme weather volatility poses to the sector's long-term stability and sustainability. It's a reminder that while warm years are good news in the short term, the wine industry faces broader climate challenges ahead.

Read more From Digest #41
Earliest-ever harvest for Champagne Drappier following ‘remarkably warm’ summer

Earliest-ever harvest for Champagne Drappier following ‘remarkably warm’ summer

Europe Harpers Wine & Spirit Aug 28, 2026 News

Champagne Drappier has recorded its earliest harvest on record following an exceptionally warm and dry growing season. The house, which has been producing champagne for over 200 years, saw grapes ripen earlier than ever before, reflecting the broader climate shifts affecting European viticulture. It's a striking indicator of how vintage timing and conditions are evolving in one of the world's most prestigious wine regions.

Read more From Digest #41
Western Australia’s Dark Horse: Frankland River Claims First Decanter Best in Show

Western Australia’s Dark Horse: Frankland River Claims First Decanter Best in Show

You might also like Vino Joy News Aug 27, 2026 News

A Shiraz from Frankland River in Western Australia's Great Southern region has won Best in Show at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, marking a breakthrough moment for the lesser-known wine area. The winning wine is priced at AU$40, making the achievement particularly significant as it shows that quality and prestige aren't confined to premium price points or famous regions. The win puts a spotlight on Western Australia's emerging wine areas and offers a compelling story for importers and retailers looking for distinctive, award-winning wines.

Read more From Digest #40
Historic French Wine Region Turns 90

Historic French Wine Region Turns 90

Europe Wine-Searcher Aug 27, 2026 News

The Jura's Arbois appellation is celebrating 90 years, but the region's anniversary coincides with what industry observers are calling a growing disconnect between market conditions and producer realities. Despite what appears to be a buoyant market on the surface, there's clearly tension beneath, hinting at challenges facing one of France's most characterful wine regions.

Read more From Digest #40
UK wine enters a new era

UK wine enters a new era

UK Vineyard Magazine Aug 26, 2026 News

The 2026 WineGB Awards have revealed a decisive shift in English and Welsh winemaking, with judges praising world-class quality across sparkling and still wines. Langham Wine Estate claimed Supreme Champion and multiple trophies including Best Sparkling for its Corallian Classic Cuvée (99 points), while still wines proved a major standout, with Blackbook Winery's Pygmalion Chardonnay scoring 97 points for Best Still Wine and Balfour's Bacchus earning 96 points. The results underscore growing technical sophistication and diversity in UK production, from established producers to newcomers like Abingworth Vineyard making strong debuts.

Read more From Digest #40
‘Pretty bleak’: More than half of Gisborne’s vineyards ripped out

‘Pretty bleak’: More than half of Gisborne’s vineyards ripped out

You might also like NZ Herald Aug 21, 2026 News

More than half of New Zealand's Gisborne vineyards are being pulled out, according to the NZ Herald. Described as 'pretty bleak' by those affected, the mass vineyard removal signals serious distress in one of the country's major wine regions. This represents a significant reshaping of global wine production capacity and reflects the broader challenges facing vineyard operators worldwide.

Read more From Digest #39
Champagne growers begin their earliest harvest on record after frost destroyed 43% of potential production.

Champagne growers begin their earliest harvest on record after frost destroyed 43% of potential production.

Europe Vinetur Aug 20, 2026 News

Champagne growers have started their earliest harvest on record following devastating spring frosts that destroyed 43% of this year's potential production. The catastrophic frost damage will significantly constrain supply across the region and is likely to create ripple effects throughout the import, distribution and retail sectors relying on Champagne stock.

Read more From Digest #39
Meet Tiago Macena, Portugal’s first-ever Master of Wine

Meet Tiago Macena, Portugal’s first-ever Master of Wine

Europe Portugal Resident Aug 20, 2026 News

Portugal has reached a milestone in its wine industry with Tiago Macena becoming the country's first-ever Master of Wine (MW). The MW is the world's most prestigious wine qualification, and Macena's achievement demonstrates Portugal's growing international standing in professional wine expertise. It's a significant moment for a country that's increasingly recognised for quality production across its diverse regions.

Read more From Digest #39
Burgundy Reports Earliest Harvest Start in History - New Record for Still Wines in Le Montrachet

Burgundy Reports Earliest Harvest Start in History - New Record for Still Wines in Le Montrachet

Europe wein.plus Aug 20, 2026 News

Burgundy has just experienced its earliest harvest on record, with Domaine Leflaive beginning to pick Chardonnay in Le Montrachet on August 13 – breaking the previous earliest start date of 1556. This dramatic shift underscores the ongoing impact of climate change on viticulture timing and growing seasons across Europe's traditional wine regions.

Read more From Digest #39