Sales of English wine fizz: Nyetimber reports surge in online sales

Nyetimber has reported a surge in online sales as English winemakers continue to challenge their more famous French counterparts.

The business said online sales were up by 800 per cent in the second half of 2020 compared with the year before – boosted by Brits drinking lots of alcohol during the pandemic.

The company, which has 11 vineyards across West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent, saw its Rosé MV perform particularly well and sales increased by 15 times over the Christmas period.

Lockdown drinking: Winemaker Nyetimber said online sales were up by 800 per cent in the second half of 2020 compared with the year before

Chief executive and owner, Eric Heerema, said: ‘We have been delighted with how much online sales have increased over the last year.’

English wine producers have been among the pandemic winners. Nyetimber rival Gusbourne reported its best ever year in 2020 with sales up 29 per cent. 

Chapel Down has also seen revenues increase since the pandemic struck. 

English wine has gone from strength to strength over the past decade, helped by warmer temperatures for grape growing. 

The climate has also attracted French champagne houses to set-up shop in the UK.