Overview: English wine sales have increased by 3% year-on-year, with consumers purchasing millions of bottles annually across the UK. The Crouch Valley in Essex has emerged as a significant hub for viticulture, attracting international investment and expanding vineyard acreage.
The Full Story
New Hall Wine Estate, operated under Jackson Family Wines, has been producing wine since 1969 with its first harvest occurring in 1972. The estate is located in Purleigh within the Crouch Valley, situated between Wickford and the Blackwater Estuary. Recent heatwaves have prompted an early harvest to avoid autumnal rains, ensuring clean fruit without spoilage. Lucy Winward, commercial manager at New Hall, noted that the business prioritizes market appetite for wines over the next 20 to 50 years.
The region has seen significant investment from international players, with French and American winemakers attracted to the warm and dry conditions and soil type of the area. Jackson Family Wines purchased land in the Crouch Valley three years ago, contributing to a landscape where English wine sales rose 3% year-on-year according to Wine GB. Paul Laurie, known as the Essex Wine Man, highlighted that while businesses have been making wine for hundreds of years in the UK, international interest is now significant.
Production & Profile
The region currently produces sparkling and still white wine, though red varieties are being developed to meet future market demands. New Hall has planted 14,000 red vines which will come to fruition in the next couple of years. The Crouch Valley boasts 469 hectares of land under vine, equivalent to 657 football pitches.
Brand & Industry History
While the area is known for sparkling and still white wine, the weather has given winemakers the option of developing red wines in the years to come. Jacques Huysamer, head winemaker from South Africa, stated that England is the new up-and-coming market. He added that everything is still new and fresh in the industry, making it fun to be part of a vibrant sector.
What This Means
The continued growth of vineyards in Essex marks the second highest number of new vineyards planted in the last five years. Heatwaves could lead to even better wine in the long run and a boon for English wine, according to industry observations. The future is looking very bright in the Crouch Valley as worldwide press attention grows for the region.
Consumer Takeaway
For the drinker, this expansion signals the availability of English wine from a region with established viticulture dating back to 1969. The planting of red vines indicates a shift toward offering red wines in addition to sparkling and still white options in the coming years.
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