The NIAB Vine Club will bridge the gap between viticulture plant science and practical application, ensuring members will be the first to benefit from emerging, innovative research.
NIAB first established a research and demonstration vineyard at its East Malling site in Kent in 2015. Now led by viticulture and oenology research leader Dr Belinda Kemp NIAB is actively collaborating with the UK grape and wine industry to develop funding opportunities for new research. Early projects are beginning to take shape, with the NIAB Vine Club providing an opportunity for vineyard businesses to access results and information, putting the research into practice.
NIAB Vine Club membership is available to UK vineyard staff, including managers and assistants, plus agribusinesses, agronomists and vineyard consultants. The annual subscription is £1,000 + VAT, with an introductory fee of £500 for 2024/25 season. Membership is individual and event attendance cannot be transferred.
Dr Kemp explains that the NIAB Vine Club has been set-up to help reach out to UK vineyard managers and staff. “We want to engage with industry, ensuring that all managers and staff feel involved and have the opportunity to influence the work that NIAB does to address UK vineyard research priorities.”
Exclusive membership benefits include an invitation to the annual NIAB Vine Club Research Day, access to a members’ website presenting news and research updates, twice-yearly e-newsletters on UK cool climate viticulture practices and technology, an annual webinar, attendance of members-only Vine Club tours and visits organised by NIAB, and access to confidential scientific expert advice and guidance.
More information about the NIAB Vine Club, how to register for membership and the terms and conditions of membership is available on niab.com.
Further NIAB grape and wine membership services will be launching in Summer 2024, including the Fizz Club UK, covering sparkling wines and the White and Red Club covering still wines.
Join the NIAB Vine Club
About NIAB grape and wine research at East Malling
The aim of our applied research is to improve berry yields and juice quality, whilst using resources responsibly and sustainably in ways that can be implemented in the UK’s cool-climate commercial vineyards. With the recent development of a new Wine Innovation Centre covering an area of 260 m2, including a dedicated research winery, temperature-controlled cellar, pressing area, and analytical laboratory, we can now extend our research into wine making. The new Wine Innovation Centre was funded by Growing Kent & Medway, Kent County Council, and The East Malling Trust.