Head sommeliers and wine buyers from some of the UK’s most prestigious hospitality venues, including The Ritz, The Connaught, The Ned and The Berkeley yesterday (10.3.26) gathered at Roebuck Estates in the heart of Sussex, for the opening session of the 2026 Roebuck Viticulture Academy.
The day focused on winter pruning, with participants taking part in a hands-on workshop exploring the art of pruning which is one of the most important tasks in the vineyard as it influences both the quantity and quality of fruit produced during the growing season.
Hosted annually by Jake Wicks, Head of Viticulture at Roebuck Estates, one of England’s fastest-growing vintage sparkling wine producers, the Roebuck Viticulture Academy is the only programme of its kind offered by an English wine estate. Designed specifically for leading sommeliers and wine buyers, the three-part course provides an in-depth, practical exploration of UK viticulture, combining technical learning with hands-on experience in the vineyard.
Returning across three sessions in March, July and October, participants follow the key stages of the vine’s lifecycle, from pruning and canopy management to harvest, gaining rare insight into the realities of cool-climate viticulture. By offering sommeliers direct access to the vineyard throughout the growing season, the Academy plays an important role in deepening their understanding of UK viticulture, helping ensure that sommeliers working at leading hospitality venues throughout the UK develop a richer appreciation of the craft and complexity of producing English Sparkling Wine.