Sonya Hook in Drinks Retailing News "The debut wines come from the ‘distinctly rebellious’ 2020 vintage."

WineGB: Indies are "Real Advocates" for Local People Independent retailers are “powerful ambassadors” for the English and Welsh wine sector and stocking a selection of these wines can also help draw in a slightly younger demographic, according to WineGB’s CEO, Nicola Bates.

Speaking to Drinks Retailing at the annual WineGB trade tasting event in London, Bates said: “Each wine retailer has a chance to be a real advocate for certain local producers and to be able to really drive forward the growth of their local patch. There’s something to be said for having those ambassadors. It’s really powerful. It’s also a key way in being able to draw in that slightly younger demographic.”

Wine tourism in the UK is growing, driven in part by a trend for experiences and education, which works well for younger and emerging wine drinkers. Wine retailers who stock a selection of wines from local vineyards or who work with local producers to offer in-store tasting events, can help grow awareness and sales by appealing to these emerging English wine explorers. Producers from across England and Wales showcased their wine portfolios, with many displaying new releases and innovations. Here’s a snapshot of a few highlights from this year’s event: The Weyborne Estate in West Sussex has launched Wayward, a limited-release range that marks a shift away from its signature Oriana style – in this instance with no barrel fermentation and with longer ageing. The debut wines – Wayward No.1 Brut and Wayward No.1 Demi-Sec – come from the “distinctly rebellious” 2020 vintage, with just 1,000 individually numbered bottles.

Sonya Hook for Drinks Retailing News, 8th September 2026

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