Harvest 2024: Post-Pick Analysis
English wine. Never a dull moment! After the record yields of 2023, 2024 has been a wild reminder of what it can really be like.
Some of the top producers in the UK have struggled this year - one where great vineyard sites have managed to shine through.
For us in Kent, it’s been… an adventure. We have emerged from “summer” soggy, but smiling.
A rainy and cool season, followed by the wettest September on record meant our crew had their hands full keeping the grapes squeaky clean.
Lower temperatures slowed growing so we picked fruit late. We then had to wait, incredibly patiently, for windows of dry weather to bring it all in. But it paid off...
If you were looking for a silver lining to all the rain clouds. It exists! The extra time on vine means riper, fuller flavoured, more characterful grapes - with some signature English zip.
Thanks to the diligent vineyard work, ours are looking great. Smaller bunches and berries means we have a lower yield than last year, but the quality is *chef’s kiss*.
The Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay are already fermenting in the winery. Early signs are pointing in the right direction.
We had extra Pinot Noir in from a grower we work with in Essex for our red, which is, without hyperbolising, amazing.
So, despite the character-building weather (in more ways than one), we survived. Phil, our Head of Wine pictured above, has gone from fretting over harvest, to positively giddy at the prospect of what we’ll make.
In his own words, “We’ve played a blinder this year.”
Raise a toast with us for making it though a tumultuous year.
Bubbles all round.
