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The UK wine trade has lost a major figure with the death of Alan Mayne on 23rd January at the age of 85. Throughout his six-decade career, Mayne became one of the most respected and influential professionals in the high-end wine sector, shaping how fine wine is distributed and appreciated in Britain. He was known for his mentorship of younger professionals and his colourful personality within the trade.
Rioja producer Muriel Wines has given its Viña Eguía label a contemporary makeover, introducing refreshed packaging for its classic Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva lines alongside a new single-variety 'Origin' range. The new collection showcases distinctive Riojan grape varieties including the rare indigenous Maturana Blanca, alongside innovative blends from across Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. The rebrand reflects the company's push to modernise its image and expand into new export markets, positioning itself as a reference brand for today's wine drinkers.
Henkell Freixenet has completed its takeover of Freixenet, acquiring the remaining shares from the Ferrer family and José Luis Bonet to gain 100% control of the world's leading sparkling wine producer. The deal concludes eight years of partnership that began with a 50/50 joint venture in 2018, though the founding families will stay involved as honorary presidents. It's a significant moment for the Spanish wine industry, showing how family-owned wine businesses are adapting to global market pressures whilst preserving their heritage.
Humble Grape has launched a new Women in Wine campaign, marking another step forward for diversity in the UK wine industry. The initiative highlights the retailer's commitment to supporting and promoting women across wine retail and hospitality roles. This reflects broader industry efforts to create more inclusive workplaces and career pathways for women in wine.
A Dorset vineyard has been crowned maker of the world's best sparkling wine, marking another feather in the cap for England's flourishing wine industry. The award highlights the growing quality and recognition of UK sparkling wines on the international stage, building on the region's reputation for producing world-class bottles that can compete with traditional champagne producers.
A sinkhole at Davyhulme Park Golf Club in Manchester has revealed a remarkable hidden cellar dating back over 100 years, complete with dozens of historic wine and Port bottles still sitting on the floor. The groundskeepers discovered the brick tunnel beneath the 13th hole filled with earth-encrusted bottles, though most lack labels that would identify the specific wines or producers. The cellar appears to be remnants of the original manor house that once stood on the site, offering a fascinating glimpse into English wine-drinking traditions from the early 20th century.
A new survey by Drinks United, backed by major UK industry organisations including the WSTA and WSET, has uncovered widespread safety concerns across the drinks trade. The findings reveal serious issues around safety, discrimination and inclusion that are affecting workers throughout the sector. It's a reminder that workplace culture matters just as much as what's in the bottle.
A Dedham vineyard in Essex has new owners who are committed to producing high-quality wines. The takeover reflects growing investment and confidence in English wine production, with the owners prioritising quality standards for their operation. It's another sign that the UK's vineyard sector continues to attract serious producers and investors.
The Institute of Masters of Wine has announced the first four candidates to achieve the prestigious Masters of Wine qualification in 2026. It's one of the wine world's most demanding certifications, and these announcements celebrate the professionals who've reached its highest standards. This highlights the continued strength of wine expertise and professional development in the UK wine industry.
Cherie Spriggs, head winemaker at Nyetimber, the award-winning English sparkling wine producer, reveals her creative philosophy behind the wines she crafts. In a new interview, she explains how she approaches winemaking with a musical sensibility, thinking about how different elements come together in harmony. It's an interesting insight into the personalities and creative processes shaping the UK's increasingly respected sparkling wine industry.
Ridgeview Estate Winery, one of England's leading sparkling wine producers, has managed to avoid going into administration. It's positive news for the Sussex-based winery, which has been a flagship name in the English wine renaissance over recent years. The development comes as many UK wine businesses have faced financial headwinds.
The European Parliament has given the green light to new measures aimed at protecting and promoting the EU wine sector. This parliamentary backing suggests potentially significant policy changes that could affect how European wines are produced, labelled, and traded both within the EU and internationally. Wine professionals and producers should keep an eye on what specific protections and promotional initiatives emerge from this decision.
WineGB has launched a comprehensive New Entrants Guide to help aspiring winemakers and vineyard owners navigate the growing UK wine sector. The revised 104-page guide, sponsored by NFU Mutual and dedicated to English wine pioneer Peter Hall, covers everything from viticulture and winemaking to business planning and market routes. It's designed to give newcomers realistic expectations about the increasingly expensive business of wine production, and is available exclusively to WineGB members through their Knowledge Hub.
Ukraine's wine industry is facing unprecedented challenges as the ongoing war disrupts production, supply chains, and exports. Despite the hardships, Ukrainian winemakers are finding ways to adapt and continue their craft, showcasing the resilience of the country's growing wine sector. It's a testament to how the industry is persevering through one of its toughest periods.
UK glass bottle manufacturer Croxsons has launched a new bottle specifically designed for English and Welsh sparkling wine producers. It's a positive development for the domestic sparkling wine sector, showing investment in the infrastructure needed to support Britain's growing reputation for quality sparkling wines.
Nyetimber has appointed former England rugby captain Jamie George as brand ambassador, following the sparkling wine producer's announcement as official partner of England Rugby ahead of the 2026 Six Nations. The campaign celebrates George's two-decade career with content filmed at Hertford RFC, where his rugby journey began, and features Nyetimber's iconic Routemaster Bus. The partnership also highlights grassroots rugby, with Nyetimber recently becoming official sparkling wine partner of Richmond Rugby Club.
London City Bond, one of the UK's leading bonded warehouses for wine and spirits, credits its staff loyalty and workplace culture for delivering reliable service during the hectic Christmas peak season. The company, which has nearly 40 years of experience, maintains an impressive average employee tenure of over 10 years, unusual for the logistics sector, by investing in staff development and fostering a positive working environment. For wine importers and merchants relying on smooth distribution, LCB's operational strength matters directly to their ability to get stock to customers on time.
Berry Bros. & Rudd, Britain's oldest fine wine merchant, is holding an auction of exceptional wines sourced directly from the cellars of the Berry and Rudd families. The online sale, closing on 3 February, features remarkable bottles spanning two centuries including a 1966 Château Cheval Blanc and rare vintages, with proceeds from the Family Reserve being reinvested into the collection. A real highlight is three miniature bottles of 1911 Mumm Champagne originally created for Queen Mary's Dolls' House in 1924, which have never been publicly offered for sale before.
Austrian cooperage Schön has unveiled the wine industry's first hybrid barriques, combining wood and stone in a single barrel. Wines aged in these innovative vessels reportedly taste fresher and fruitier compared to those from traditional wooden barrels, potentially offering producers a new tool for achieving desired flavour profiles.
Bordeaux is facing unprecedented challenges as producers have announced a major €130 million plan to remove vines from production. The crisis stems from a combination of falling demand, climate pressures, and the industry's struggle to adapt, with producers now calling on the government for urgent support in the 2026 budget. This signals that even the world's most prestigious wine region is grappling with serious structural headwinds.