English producers show biggest support yet for London Wine Fair
London Wine Fair is fast “approaching capacity” for British wine and spirits exhibitors following the launch of its Host Nation initiative, the first major campaign actioned since the fair was acquired by Vindustrious last year.
Last year it was announced that from now on London Wine Fair will focus on one specific country or region as its centre piece. This initiative, called Home Nation, kicks off with this year’s fair, where a spotlight will be shone on British producers, including makers of English and Welsh wine, and British spirits.
The Home Nation initiative is one of the first projects to be implemented following London Wine Fair’s acquisition by Vindustrious last October.
db can reveal that take-up for the first Home Nation-led fair has been impressive, with the original English Wine stand already sold out, having doubled in size. More than 100 UK producers are expected to be present at London Wine Fair 2026, marking an almost five-fold increase on 2025.
“English Wine is an exciting and growing category and it’s great to see the team at the 2026 London Wine Fair champion our domestic wine industry in such an impactful way by bringing together some of the UK’s leading wine producers as part of a newly curated English Wine stand,” said Michael Kennedy, CEO of Roebuck Estates in Sussex, one of the producers that will be attending this year’s fair.
Prominent producers
Other prominent English wine producers planning to attend this year’s event (18-20 May at Olympia) are Balfour, Bolney, Chapel Down, Flint Vineyards, and Gusbourne. Additionally, more than 30 producers from Canterbury-based contract winemaker Defined Wine will host a pop-up tasting table on the 19th May.
Jordan Painter, sales director, Balfour Winery, said the English sparkling producer is “delighted to be making a return to the London Wine Fair this year as part of the fair’s spotlight on home nation producers. We are looking forward to exhibiting our broad range of premium still and sparkling wines alongside other prominent English wineries.”
Painter added that Balfour’s participation “also gives us a platform to amplify and celebrate our wine tourism offering – part and parcel of our overall brand DNA, and an added value proposition for both domestic and overseas visitors.”
Meanwhile, Samantha Cross, marketing controller of Bolney Wine Estate, said she was “thrilled to be a contributor to the Host Nation campaign showcasing the best of English winemaking. We look forward to celebrating the innovation, quality and passion that is driving the momentum of English wine today.”
Partner Content
WineGB is also throwing its support behind Host Nation with CEO Nicola Bates calling 2026 “a landmark year” for the fair, where she said that she intends to “bang the drum for the whole category.”
Being present at London Wine Fair, Bates added, gives producers “a brilliant opportunity to take centre stage.”
As such, the trade body head has chosen the fair to launch WineGB’s new marketing campaign: Create New Traditions and Drink English and Welsh Wines.
Not just wine
As well as the extensive presence of English winemakers, beer, cider and spirits makers will also be out in force.
Luxury Somerset hotel The Newt will bring its traditional and contemporary ciders to the show for the first time, made from 100% apple juice sourced from 70 different apple varieties from their estate orchard.
On the spirits side, Highgate-based Sacred Spirits has confirmed attendence, along with Beckford’s Rums from Bath; Brixton Spirits; Scotland’s Frontline Spirits and Claxton’s Spirits; and Foreva Farmers, with their range of premium, sustainable mixers.
London Wine Fair 2026 will take place from 18 to 20 May at Olympia. Visitor registration is now open.
