The United Kingdom is facing a potential wine shortage due to a strike involving over 200 workers at Encirc's bottling plant in Bristol, which began on June 19, 2025.

Encirc's facility is a major player in the industry, bottling 300 million liters of wine annually and holding a 40% share of the U.K.'s beverage bottling market, servicing 18 of the country's 20 leading wine brands.

The striking workers, represented by the Unite union, plan to remain off work until July 5, 2025, followed by a 12-week ban on overtime, which could exacerbate the supply issues.

The union has criticized Encirc for not engaging in meaningful negotiations regarding a proposed 3.2% pay increase, claiming the company has refused to negotiate adequately.

In response, Encirc maintains that their pay offer is fair and that they are open to continuing discussions with Unite.

Katharina Erfort, a Principal at supply chain consultancy Inverto, emphasizes the importance of having contingency plans and multiple suppliers to mitigate risks associated with supply shortages.

The trend towards consolidating suppliers has made supply chains more vulnerable to unexpected disruptions, as demonstrated by recent crises including Covid-19.

Companies are advised to actively manage lead times and stock levels to better prepare for disruptions like the current strike.

Inverto also emphasizes the need for businesses to enhance supply chain resilience by promoting transparency and collaboration with suppliers.

The consultancy warns that the strike could have significant impacts on the U.K. wine industry, highlighting the need for businesses to better prepare for supply chain disruptions.

Concerns about a potential wine shortage in the UK have arisen due to the strike at Encirc's bottling plant, a major facility responsible for a substantial portion of the nation's wine production.