Tuesday 9th February 2010                                                               

For immediate release

Wineskills is launched, and mentors for UK Wine announced

Wineskills, an ambitious training project for the UK Wine Production industry, was launched on Friday 5th February 2010, by Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Minister for Food, Farming and Environment. Saying that he is “proud to serve English and Welsh wines at all his events”, he unveiled the Wineskills plaque, which will be displayed outside the Wine Centre at Plumpton College (East Sussex).

In these hard times, the UK wine industry is a great success story: it is producing great wines and growing rapidly, bringing diversification of land use, local employment and revenue from wine sales and tourism to rural areas. English and Welsh wines also meet customers’ requirements for a delicious locally-produced product, naturally light and lower in alcohol.

Wineskills, supported by European Union and DEFRA funds, will encourage this growth through regular practical workshops, monthly masterclasses (with international speakers), and an industry mentoring scheme. The mentors are particularly important; as they will provide our grapegrowers and winemakers with the expertise and guidance needed to ensure the sustainable growth of the industry.

Chris Foss, Head of Wine at Plumpton, announced the four industry mentors at the launch:

Peter Hayes, an international viticultural consultant from Australia, will advise the industry on grapegrowing and vineyard management. After 25 years in academia and research, he worked as Chief Viticulturalist for Rosemount, then Southcorp/Fosters, before becoming President of the Office International de la Vigne et du Vin.

David Cowderoy, the flying winemaker, will be advising on still wine production. “The industry is very lucky to have the funds for Wineskills. No other country has benefited in this way at such a vital moment.  I am confident that the Wineskills program will play a key role in launching the industry into its next phase” said Cowderoy. 

Jean-Manuel Jacquinot, from Champagne Jacquinot, will mentor sparkling wine producers. Jean-Manuel has already been advising some UK sparkling wine producers for over 10 years, enabling them to achieve international awards.

Michael Paul, former MD of Western Wines, who brought us the Kumala and Cono Sur brands, will be the mentor advising on business management and marketing. “With sparkling wines the UK has achieved quality and now just has to build its image in relation to Champagne.”

Ian Edwards, the newly-appointed Chair of the UKVA (UK Vineyards Association), proposed a toast to Wineskills with award-winning sparkling wines from Camel Valley, Nyetimber and Ridgeview Estate.

                                                                         ENDS

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