The future of viticulture is becoming increasingly technical. Over the past year, many vineyards have faced significant challenges, with persistent rainfall, disease pressure and market uncertainty affecting production. Amid these pressures, data and research have quietly become some of the most valuable tools available to growers.

Ongoing trials and climate-focused research across the sector have provided insight into areas such as canopy management, rootstock selection and disease resistance. Many vineyard managers I speak with are now using data to make smarter, more sustainable decisions. From irrigation scheduling to the introduction of cover crops that support soil health and long-term resilience, there is so much out there.

Across the UK, vineyards are experimenting with diverse cover crop mixes to encourage biodiversity and improve vineyard performance. Others are refining premium wine production through precision viticulture, using detailed data to better understand the relationship between vineyard practices and wine quality. Larger producers, in particular, are increasingly exploring digital tracking and analytics to improve efficiency and consistency.

What’s especially exciting is how these innovations are shaping the workforce within vineyards. There’s growing demand for data-literate growers, sustainability-focused roles and technically minded managers. It’s a clear sign that the sector is evolving and moving from reactive decision-making toward a more proactive, informed approach to farming.

Towards the end of 2025, I attended a UK-based vineyard and winery trade event and was hugely impressed by the level of technology and innovation on display. Alongside meeting a wide range of suppliers, I had the chance to speak with winemakers, growers and vineyard owners from across the industry. Recruiting within the vineyard sector, I regularly discuss new developments and ongoing challenges with professionals, but attending events like this really helped put those conversations into perspective. It was brilliant to see the innovation in action, and it’s an event I’ll certainly be returning to in the future (I’ve already booked to attend the 2026 show).​