2024
Luke Spalding, an experienced viticulturist based in the southeast of England, blends data-driven expertise with hands-on application to champion regenerative viticulture. Over his 5-year tenure at Everflyht, Sussex, where he serves as General Manager, Luke has spearheaded the transition from conventional to regenerative practices. His focus on soil health rejuvenation and vine balance optimisation has elevated productivity and sustainability. Previously honoured as UK Vine Grower of the Year, Luke’s commitment to innovation led him to explore Cool Climate Canopy Management and refine yield estimation methodologies. Regularly undertaking talks and workshops for vineyard managers and viticulture students, Luke believes in shaping the future of sustainable vineyard management through knowledge sharing and continuous practical improvement.
The UK wine industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, leading to concerns about negative environmental impacts associated with traditional viticulture practices. There is a growing interest in regenerative viticulture, despite very little UK-based research existing, leaving grape growers to experiment with techniques borrowed from other agricultural fields with varying degrees of success. This […]