Wine GB turns spotlight on wine tourism and retail

By Lisa Riley

Published: 08 February, 2021

Wine GB has released its 2021 calendar of activities, revealing a strong focus on wine tourism and the retail sector.

It also said its development strategy would be underpinned by "industry values including sustainability, product excellence and innovation".

Activities kick off with a virtual three-day ‘Wine Tourism in the UK: The route to success’ conference next month.

While aimed primarily at industry members, the calibre and line up of speakers would be “instructive and inspiring” for anyone working within the wider tourism and hospitality industry, said Wine GB.

The industry body also revealed that English Wine Week is moving to June, taking place the week commencing 19 of June to coincide with Summer Solstice and Midsummers Day as well as the beginning of flowering.

There will be a separate Welsh Wine Week, which is scheduled to take place 4- 13June.

Meanwhile, the Wine GB Trade & Press tasting has been pencilled in on 7September (subject to any restrictions), while the Wine GB Awards will see judging taking place over the week of 7June, led by co-chairs Susie Barrie MW and Oz Clarke.

“Whilst last year was incredibly challenging for many of our members, the rise in retail and direct to consumer sales demonstrated that consumers are more clearly focussed on provenance, sustainability, buying from local producers – all of which our industry is proud to provide,” said Julia Trustram Eve, Wine GB’s marketing manager.

“Above all we want to set out a calendar of events and projects that focus on key consumer drivers and allows them and the trade to engage with this wonderful industry of ours, which is going through remarkable growth and bursting with confidence.”

A number of dedicated social campaigns will also be rolled out over the year, including a Valentine’s focus with a difference: #WineMyHeartAway is running in association with Barrie and Peter Richards MW together with Majestic.

Meanwhile, to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8March, Wine GB is teaming with Women in Wine London to run a series of Instagram Live interviews across that week featuring women from some of the many different areas of the Great British wine industry.

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