WHY ENGLAND’S VINEYARDS ARE CALLING FOR A FAIR DEAL.
At the end of June 2025, something quite unusual happened in the House of Commons — English wine took centre stage.
Sir Ashley Fox, MP for Bridgwater in the South West, asked a straightforward question:
“small brewers and cider makers benefit from a duty relief scheme to encourage production. Would my hon. Friend join me in asking the Minister to extend that scheme to small vineyards?“
In short, why do cider makers and small brewers get tax relief – but vineyards don’t?
It’s a good question. And one that’s got many English winemakers nodding in agreement.
A Growing Industry, Facing Big Challenges
English wine is booming. New vineyards are popping up across the country, especially in places like Sussex, Kent and the Crouch Valley in Essex. The quality is high, the wine is winning awards, and tourists are flocking in.
But running a vineyard isn’t cheap. It takes years to get from planting a vine to selling your first bottle. Costs are high, and profits can be razor-thin — especially for small producers.
Right now, small brewers and cider producers get some tax relief from the government. It helps them survive those tricky early years. But wine producers? Not so much.
What’s the Problem?
Late last year, Nick Speakman, who runs Missing Gate Wines in Essex, told the Financial Times he’d had to cancel a major £2.5 million expansion. He even had to let some staff go.
Why? Rising costs, higher taxes, and no support.
“I’m disappointed, frustrated, that I cannot create more value for my kids. But mostly I detest not being able to do what is obviously the right thing” he said.
He’s not alone. Across the country, many vineyard owners are finding it tough to keep going.
What Parliament Said
During the debate on 25 June, MPs from across the country voiced support for vineyards. Katie Lam, MP for the Weald of Kent, highlighted the high start-up costs and said:
“Our English vineyards are not centuries-old family estates, handed down through the generations, like on the continent. They are new businesses, built on entrepreneurial risk, with eyewatering start-up costs, and land that is among the most expensive in Europe.”
That means the wine you buy directly from the vineyard, during a tasting or tour. It’s often a lifeline for smaller producers.
Katie Lam MP later added:
“Will the Government consider implementing a wine tourism relief, to recognise this youthful industry’s potential and give small producers the boost they need to truly thrive? “
So What Happens Next?
The government hasn’t made any promises yet — but perhaps there is hope.
Daniel Zeichner (Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs) and the Minister responded to the debate and expressed his commitment “to working together with the sector to support the ambitions for growth and exports.” On the specific suggestion of wine tourism relief, he had this to say:
“I understand that WineGB is about to launch a campaign for a wine tourism relief. I cannot make any commitments today, because it is a Treasury issue, but certainly, it is something that we are interested in looking at.”
Thus, it sounds as though the government are open to the issue. He also mentioned possible reforms to the way English wine is classified and protected (things like PDO status).
It’s not a done deal, but the pressure is building.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about tax. It’s about the future of English wine.
Without fair support, we risk losing small, independent vineyards — the ones that make English wine so special. The ones where you can sip a glass of sparkling rosé while looking out over the vines.
Supporting them means more jobs, more tourism, and more great wine for all of us to enjoy. So here’s hoping that the debate leads to something.
Where to next?
A few of my favourite things
Looking for a gift for yourself or a wine lover in your life? Here are a few of my favourite English Wine things.
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