01825 371500As English Wine Week celebrates one of Britain’s fastest-growing agricultural success stories, it is an opportunity to recognise not only the vineyards and winemakers driving the industry forward, but also the infrastructure that helps make that growth possible.
Over the past two decades, English wine has transformed from a niche market into an internationally recognised industry. Award-winning sparkling and still wines are now produced across the country, while investment in vineyards, wineries and visitor facilities continues to increase year after year.
At Forma, we are proud to have played a small part in that journey.
Over the years, we have designed, erected and landscaped numerous steel-framed buildings for vineyards and wineries across the South East and beyond, supporting businesses at every stage of their development. From machinery storage and production facilities to wine storage buildings and visitor-focused spaces, our projects have evolved alongside the ambitions of the wineries we serve.
Building for every stage of growth
No two wineries are the same.
Some begin with a simple machinery building to support vineyard operations. Others require purpose-built winery facilities where grapes can be processed, fermented and bottled. As production increases, additional storage space is often needed for barrels, bottled stock and distribution.
What makes the English wine sector particularly exciting is that growth rarely stands still.
Many of the vineyard businesses Forma has worked with have expanded significantly over time. In several cases, an initial building project has been followed by a second or even third phase of development as production volumes increase, tourism opportunities grow and businesses invest in their future.
For us, there is no greater endorsement than being invited back to help support that next stage of expansion.
Supporting the modern winery
The buildings required to support a successful vineyard operation are as varied as the wineries themselves.
Forma has delivered buildings for a wide range of uses, including:
- Winery production facilities
- Grape processing and fermentation buildings
- Wine storage facilities
- Machinery and equipment stores
- Bottling and distribution buildings
- Visitor and tasting facilities
- Multi-phase winery expansion projects
Each building is designed around the specific needs of the business, helping vineyard owners create efficient, practical spaces that support both day-to-day operations and future growth.
Whether storing specialist vineyard machinery, housing production equipment, protecting valuable stock or welcoming visitors to experience English wine firsthand, every building plays an important role in the success of the wider operation.
More than agricultural buildings
Modern winery buildings perform a variety of functions.
They must provide practical, durable space for production processes while often complementing the appearance of the vineyard and surrounding landscape. They may need to accommodate specialist equipment, temperature-sensitive storage, retail facilities or visitor experiences.
Steel-framed construction offers wineries the flexibility to create large, open internal spaces while maintaining efficiency, durability and the ability to adapt as requirements change.
As the English wine industry continues to mature, the demand for versatile, high-quality buildings is becoming increasingly important.
Growing alongside the wine industry
One of the most rewarding aspects of working within the wine sector has been watching businesses grow and evolve over time.
In many cases, Forma’s relationship with a vineyard has not ended with the completion of a single project. As production increases, visitor numbers rise and businesses diversify, additional buildings are often required to support that growth.
From initial machinery stores to winery production facilities, storage buildings and further expansion phases, we have been privileged to support a number of vineyards on their journey from ambitious beginnings to established wine producers.
These long-term relationships reflect not only the strength of the English wine industry but also the confidence our clients place in Forma to help deliver the facilities they need for the future.
English wine is a growing industry with an exciting future
The future for wine in England looks exceptionally positive.
With increasing consumer demand, international recognition and continued investment across the sector, many vineyards are planning for long-term growth. That growth requires more than vines and winemaking expertise; it requires facilities capable of supporting production, storage, logistics and visitor engagement.
Forma is proud to have worked with many of the businesses helping to shape this success story and we look forward to supporting future developments as the industry continues to flourish.
As English Wine Week celebrates the achievements of vineyards and wineries across the country, we are delighted to recognise the role that well-designed, practical buildings play in helping those businesses grow, innovate and succeed.
Here’s to the continued success of English wine and the businesses behind it.
Forma’s featured vineyard projects have included:
Henners Vineyard, Herstmonceux, Sussex.
Having completed buildings for the main winery we returned in 2025 to increase storage facilities with a fully insulated building for this wonderful East Sussex vineyard.
Beacon Down Vineyard, Heathfield, East Sussex
Fantastic project with all the associated groundworks to create a winery, storage and office space facility nestled in the beautiful High Weald area of East Sussex.
Hawkhurst winery start up, Kent
New hospitality and storage space for this start up vineyard in Kent giving a bright, modern look to this insulated building.
Newick Wine Estate, Newick, East Sussex
New building machinery store and insulated reclad of an existing building has given this great and relatively new vineyard a very smart and professional look.
Billingshurst Winery under construction
Keith Stoner, owner of Forma said, ‘We’ve been fortunate to witness first-hand the remarkable growth of the English wine industry. Seeing businesses expand from a single building to multiple facilities over the years has been incredibly rewarding, and we’re proud to continue supporting the sector’s future growth.” would be good to round it up with at the end.
Forma has delivered winery and vineyard buildings across Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and beyond, supporting some of England’s most respected wine producers. If you would like to discuss a project with Keith, please get in touch today.