Graham Stuart, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, visited East Yorkshire’s award-winning Laurel Vines and has committed to working with the vineyard to lobby the Government to support the growing English wine industry through the duty system.
Following the visit, Graham wrote to the Chancellor asking him to look at duty equalisation with imported wines and cellar door relief for small producers.
Ian Sargent, owner of Laurel Vines, showed Graham around the vineyard, which produces excellent wines and is fast proving to be a new driver of tourism in the East Riding.
As Ian said, people are interested in local produce, but when wine is involved, that goes to a whole new level.
The vineyard is making great strides in achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2025. Ian was keen to show Graham the electric vehicles and solar panels, as well as explaining how Laurel Vines is leading the world in flaying vine offshoots, allowing them to return to the soil without creating waste.
Laurel Vines has developed a tremendous tourist offering, with tours due to resume in April. The vineyard is a stop on the popular Yorkshire Wine trail and is open for functions, which can also include sampling their wine.
Laurel Vines produces over 40,000 litres per vintage, with all bottling done on-site. It was recognised at the 2023 REYTA (Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards) for Remarkable Local Producer and won the Remarkable Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Award.
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart said: “I want to see all businesses in Beverley thrive, and am always prepared to do whatever I can to help. So I’m delighted to have contacted the Chancellor to see what can be done about supporting the English wine trade, particularly still wines. I never would have imagined that great wine could be produced in Yorkshire, and I want to do all I can to help Laurel Vines prosper.”
Ian Sargent, owner of Laurel Vines, said: “It was great to show Graham our vineyard and winery and talk to him about the achievements in building up our business. I’m delighted that he’s written to the Chancellor about making duty for English wine fairer so we can better compete. I’m excited to see the future of wine in Yorkshire grow and be an industry the whole county can be proud of.”
