UK Vineyard Embraces UV-C Technology for Sustainable Viticulture
Lincolnshire, UK – Veenow Vineyard has emerged as a trailblazer in British viticulture, becoming the first vineyard in the UK to adopt UV Boosting technology. This innovative system, which utilizes UV-C light, aims to bolster vine health, enhance sustainability, and mitigate the impact of frost damage and fungal diseases.
The technology’s potential is significant. According to Veenow Vineyard, the application of UV-C light has shown promising results in trials. Robert Greenow of Veenow Vineyard explained the decision to implement the new system: “We decided to choose UV Boosting due to the patented technology, robust build quality, and technical ability within the team, which made it a great partnership.”
The advantages of UV Boosting are multifaceted. The technology is designed to enhance vine resilience against diseases like powdery and downy mildew. Moreover, it has the potential to reduce frost risk by up to 50% when applied within 48 hours of a frost event. Furthermore, the use of this technology could lead to a reduction in chemical sprays by up to 60%, with only three to four applications per season.
The benefits extend beyond disease and pest control. The vineyard anticipates a reduction in disease incidence by approximately 40% and expects an increase in vine vigor, potentially leading to a 13% boost in yield. The vineyard plans to apply the technology four to five times throughout the growing season, focusing on key grape varieties including Pinot Noir, Bacchus, Chardonnay, Meunier, and Cabernet Noir.
Katie Greenow, co-owner of Veenow Vineyard, emphasized the estate’s dedication to environmentally responsible viticulture, stating, “We decided to be the first in the UK as our passion is sustainability while maintaining quality clean grapes for harvest.” She further emphasized that combining this technology with digestate application and specialist cover cropping “is hopefully setting an example that monoculture, mass production vineyards are different to us here.”
UV Boosting, the French company behind the technology, has already seen adoption in vineyards across Europe. CEO Baptiste Rouesné welcomed Veenow’s initiative, saying, “We are very excited at UV Boosting to have a first unit running in the UK in 2025. We have seen the British vineyards grow rapidly in the last years and hopefully we will be able to deploy many more units in the coming years.”
