Tuesday 6 September:  WineGB today announced new data which shows the strong growth of the industry.

• Sales increased by nearly 70% over the past two years
• Average of 1.6m vines planted each year
• Wine Tourism and direct-to-consumer booms

At today’s WineGB Trade & Press Tasting, WineGB CEO Simon Thorpe MW presented new figures which demonstrate the growth in the UK’s wine sector and the increasingly important role of wine tourism and cellar door sales.

WineGB’s annual survey shows a rise of 31% in year-on-year sales in 2021, and an overall rise of 69% from 2019 to 2021.

The channel which has experienced the most growth is direct-to-consumer, which shows an impressive increase of 265% over the last two years, now representing 57% of all sales in 2021 (up from 36% in 2019).

There are now 3,758 hectares under vine in England and Wales with 879 vineyards and 197 wineries (195 in England, 2 in Wales), employing over 10,000 workers. Hectarage has grown by 70% in just five years, quadrupling in size since 2000.

The Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB) scheme continues to grow, with 83 members covering 77 of the country’s vineyards, which accounts for around 55% of the total hectarage under vine. WineGB’s objective in the next three years is to increase this to as much of production as possible and continue to build consumer awareness of the scheme, ensuring that wine consumers understand how resources are being protected. Today there are now some 35 fully accredited wines released, which can bear the SWGB label.

WineGB also announced the launch of an industry wide consultation to review the current PDO/PGI schemes. “We need to ensure these schemes are fit for purpose for a modern, quality focused and innovative production. We must have a scheme which protects and informs the consumer whilst equally adding value to producers”, explains Thorpe.

“We are also continuing our drive on sustainability, wine tourism, exports, product excellence and industry leadership. The past 12 months has delivered a stronger and fitter wine production sector, one which is in a more robust place to confront the challenging economic times in which we live” says Thorpe.

To view the full report, please visit: https://www.winegb.co.uk/trade/industry-data-and-stats-2/

Further information:

Madeleine Waters 07778 702221 madeleine@weareco.co.uk
Julia Trustram Eve 07775 760451 julia@winegb.co.uk