Climate change has created challenges and opportunities for the UK wine industry. The UK has over 4,000 ha of land planted with vines, an estimated 74% increase in vine planting in the past five years.

To support and guide the burgeoning UK wine industry, a dedicated viticulture and oenology research facility has become critical to its future success to manage cool climate vineyards sustainably without compromising grape, juice or wine quality.

Following discussions with some of the principal UK grape growers and wine producers, a research vineyard was established by Niab at East Malling in 2015. It was set up for research purposes and provides the UK’s only, randomised and fully replicated R&D vineyard.

Niab's scientific expertise and new facilities are ideally positioned to focus on climate-related vine, grape and wine research, sustainability and achieving Net Zero status in UK vineyards and wineries.