The world of winemaking is no longer solely reserved for the seasoned veterans, as demonstrated by one young British viticulturist embracing the industry's changing landscape.

At just twenty years old, Ashton Kirby began his journey at Bewl Water Vineyard in the picturesque countryside of East Sussex, Southeast England, when his parents purchased the neglected property three years ago.

Since then, this self-proclaimed former "townie" has garnered recognition for his winemaking prowess. This year, his Reserve Cuvée 2018 received the prestigious gold award from WineGB, the British industry association.

"These grapes are Bacchus, and they come from the 1970s. That means they are approximately 30 years older than me," Kirby shared with Reuters.

He explained that the warming British climate, attributed to climate change, has led to the production of "fantastic wine" from the grape variety. He likened the flavor profile to that of an English Sauvignon Blanc.

Last year, research conducted by the University of Reading highlighted the projected impact of climate change on Britain's viticulture regions by 2050. It forecasted that rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns, particularly in the southeast and east of England, would enable British-grown Chardonnay grapes to ripen sufficiently for the production of high-quality still wine in most years.

WineGB, acknowledging the rapid growth of the British wine industry, anticipates that the planted vineyard area will double by 2032.

Ned Awty, the interim CEO of WineGB, commented, "What we're witnessing is the rise of a new generation of winemakers. It's incredibly exciting to see this youthful vigor and enthusiasm unburdened by the constraints of old climate thinking."

With his blonde mullet haircut and heavy metal T-shirt, Kirby expressed his delight in winning the esteemed award. "It's a way of saying, 'I'm here... and look, I do produce exceptional wine. Here's the proof,'" he proclaimed. Photo by Bob Jones, Wikimedia commons.