English and Welsh wines have gained recognition both domestically and internationally in recent years, and today, Environment Secretary Steve Barclay unveiled additional support for the

industry to sustain its rapid growth.

With £1.5 million allocated this year, the new Future Winemakers’ Scheme (FWS) aims to cultivate skills and job opportunities within the sector, ensuring that the next generation of viticulturists can build upon the achievements of the past two decades.

The funding will be directed towards education, training, and upskilling initiatives, responding to business projections indicating the creation of thousands of new vineyard jobs in the coming years.

Secretary Barclay announced the new initiative at the annual WineGB conference held at Plumpton College, the UK’s hub for wine-making training in East Sussex. Further details regarding the scheme will be disclosed in due course.

Moreover, he outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to simplify regulations for wine producers and traders, underscoring its commitment to supporting the sector.

Reflecting on the announcement, Secretary Barclay remarked, “The UK has a rich tradition of wine production and trade, with ample opportunities for expansion. We are proud of the achievements of British winemakers in recent years, and we remain dedicated to collaborating with the wine sector to streamline regulations and provide new financial backing.”

Nicola Bates, CEO of Wines of Great Britain (WineGB), hailed the launch of the educational fund as a significant milestone, emphasizing its role in training more British winemakers and viticulturists to meet the growing industry demands.

Sam Linter, Director of Wine at Plumpton College and Wine GB Chairman, emphasized the strategic importance of investing in the industry's future workforce, highlighting its potential to drive innovation and sustainable growth.

Miles Beale, Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, welcomed the proposed reforms to EU rules for wine, noting the opportunity for greater flexibility to encourage innovation and enhance the UK's global wine status.

The new funding will support the development of new courses at Plumpton College and bolster training capacity to ensure an adequately skilled workforce to support the industry's expanding growth.

In addition to the funding announcement, the government proposed further reforms for the wine industry, including regulations to facilitate the production and marketing of no and low alcohol wine, enabling the transformation of imported wine, and improving wine labeling rules to enhance consumer transparency.

The consultation period for these proposals will run until May 10, 2024, following previous reforms introduced in January aimed at reducing costs and supporting recycling within the wine industry. Photo by Bob Jones, Wikimedia commons.