Podcast Episode 6: Yorkshire Wine
It sounds like a total misnomer but fine wine making from established vineyards in the North of England and Scotland is really a thing. Warmer summers, milder winters, the effects of climate change, are creating growth opportunities for farmers who are looking to grow and diversify their own products. And England's south coast vineyards are now getting a serious run for their money with high quality products developed from fertile northern soil.
Here in North Yorkshire we have a host of drinks manufacturing businesses that are creating inroads into the visitor economy and producing high quality products harvested from home grown vines: appearing in shops and supermarket shelves across the UK.
I've been inspired by the enterprise and hard graft in this space. Never has there been a more purpose driven team than the Fletcher family at Ryedale Vineyards and it has been a pleasure to work with them over the past year. They are, to me, a great example of Yorkshire grit and are championing new approaches to farming and sustainability.
So just in time for the annual Yorkshire Day unofficial bank holiday, where you don't receive a day off, we celebrate the growth of a quiet part of the farming and drinks manufacturing sector which is brining life and prosperity to the country lanes in the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds in our next podcast episode.
A very Happy Yorkshire Day (1st August) to to you.
In this episode you'll hear about the themes of sustainability, family and the context of winemaking in Yorkshire. James speaks to the next generation behind Ryedale Vineyards to discover how the family turned an ambitious idea into one of Yorkshire's pioneering vineyards.
From climate change and technology to sustainability and succession planning, this conversation explores what it really takes to grow a business that's rooted in purpose as much as profit.It's a story about caring for the land, building a regional identity, and creating a legacy that will outlast the people who planted the first vines.
In this episode you'll hear:
• How a family project became one of Yorkshire's pioneering vineyards
• Why English wine is gaining global recognition
• The surprising advantages of growing grapes in the North of England
• The realities of running a modern vineyard, from weather and tariffs to labour shortages
• How technology, automation and innovation are changing winemaking
• Why sustainability and nature mean something to the business
• Building a business that responds to the visitor economy and Shared Prosperity funding
• Ambitions to up skill the next generation through apprenticeships and knowledge sharing
• Creating a business that balances commercial success with long-term stewardship of the land
