Ditchling’s Ridgeview Wine Estate is eyeing up the US market after a promising start selling its sparkling wine to New York.
The vineyard yesterday hosted a meeting with ten other UK suppliers who received advice from a US wine market expert on how to grow their stateside market.
And it now hopes it can take advantage of English wine’s improving reputation across the pond.
Tamara Roberts, CEO of Ridgeview Wine Estate, said: “The US is seeing significant growth in wine consumption across the board.
“Their wine consumers are becoming more knowledgeable and interested in trying new and different wines, not just those made in the domestic market.
“We are already exporting to New York and are seeing opportunities in other states beginning to take shape.
“In total we are exporting to 12 countries with representation in Scandinavia, Northern Europe, the US and Asia.
The meeting, organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), saw US Head of Consumer and Industrial Goods, Niall Gordon, offer the businesses key information, advice and contacts.
Mr Gordon said: “Britain’s reputation in the US is very strong right now and I think English sparkling wine producers can leverage that in the coming years.
“The US is a huge consumer of wine – the second largest market after China.
“I’m delighted to meet some of the top wine makers from across the south east – many of them award winners – to see how UKTI might help them boost their sales in the US, a market that has consecutively grown for the last 21 years.”
Ms Roberts added: “UKTI have been incredibly supportive; their export master classes and international contacts are invaluable when starting the export journey.
“We still have regular meetings with our local UKTI representative and have had much support from the Niall Gordon from UKTI New York.”
