Campden BRI has opened the doors to a new world-class wine services laboratory and testing center in Guildford.
The state-of-the-art facility, Campden Wine Services, based in Surrey Research Park, is equipped with the latest technology and staffed by a team of experienced experts with in-depth knowledge of the national and international wine sectors. This investment demonstrates Campden BRI’s dedication to driving progress and innovation across all areas of the UK wine industry.
The opening also marks a new partnership between Campden BRI and the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), the world's leading wine research institute.
On opening day, Robert Braid, Senior Analytical Chemist at Campden BRI, guided grape growers, winemakers, wine retailers and importers through the new laboratory. After the tour, Technical Director Dr. Gregory Dunne conducted a hands-on wine identification exercise for the guests.
Peter Hedridge, CEO of Campden BRI, and Dr Eric Wilkes of AWRI delivered a series of interactive presentations showcasing Campden BRI's extensive capabilities. They highlighted how its wine services are uniquely positioned to drive improvement and growth within the UK wine industry through a distinctive range of analytical services, support and expert advice.
Headridge pointed out how the UK's domestic wine industry has seen steady growth and now requires high-quality technical support and consultancy to remain globally competitive. According to WineGB data, the 2023 grape crop exceeded the 2018 record by 68%, with enough grapes to produce 22 million bottles of wine.
“Our partnership with AWRI and investments in this facility will be transformative for the UK wine industry and will future-proof our services and technical capabilities, demonstrating a strong vote of confidence in the local wine sector,” he said. “We are committed to providing the industry with the advanced tools and expertise it needs to thrive in domestic and international markets.”
