England’s wine producers are betting on exports to sustain growth after domestic sales leveled off, as this year’s record-warm summer promises one of the best harvests in decades.
Sparkling wines from southern England are already gaining global recognition — with Nyetimber becoming the first non-French label to win the top sparkling wine prize at the International Wine Challenge. “Export is where the real growth is in the coming period,” said Brad Greatrix, Senior Winemaker at Nyetimber.
Domestic Demand Slows After Strong Growth
Once seen as a novelty, English wine has grown steadily since the 1990s as producers took advantage of milder temperatures. Output has increased about 7% annually since 2000, and vineyard area expanded 30% between 2020 and 2024.
Yet home-market growth has stalled. Sparkling wines — which account for 70% of total sales — showed no increase in 2024, following an 11% surge the previous year. Industry leader Chapel Down even halted plans for a new winery as demand softened.
Still, WineGB CEO Nicola Bates called flat sales “an achievement” amid a tough year for hospitality, noting that Champagne shipments to the UK dropped 13%. “We need to be growing sales at a faster pace for mid- to long-term health,” she said.
Exports Surge, Led by Norway
Exports rose 35% last year, now accounting for 9% of English wine sales, with Bates targeting a doubling by 2030. Norway remains the top destination, importing 111,639 litres in 2024 — up from just 451 litres in 2015, according to the country’s wine monopoly.
“Most people are surprised by the quality — it rivals Champagne but has its own identity,” said Aleksander Iversen, sommelier at Brasserie Coucou in Oslo.
Climate Change Brings Both Risk and Reward
A “near-perfect growing season” this year has raised hopes for exceptional quality, said Alistair Nesbitt, CEO of Vinescapes. Warmer growing seasons — up to 1.5°C hotter than 50 years ago — have made England increasingly ideal for sparkling wine grapes.
Global producers such as Taittinger and Jackson Family Wines have already invested in English vineyards. “If you’re in a climate-stressed region, you look to cooler areas like the UK,” Nesbitt added.
