Worcestershire, Yorkshire, Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire
Astley Vineyard, Worcestershire:
A hugely busy week in the vineyard and winery!
Began by picking 1/3 of our Kerner intended for our sparkling wine.
After that, Late Harvest Siegerrebe which has both higher sugar and acidity compared to harvest last year which was TWO WEEKS later. Exciting. pic.twitter.com/v78awVaZRF
— Astley Vineyard (@AstleyVineyard) October 12, 2018
Laurel Wines, Yorkshire – Ian Sargent, owner and chairman of the Mercian Regional Association: “This is without doubt our largest harvest and the fruit was in great condition for producing excellent wines. We believe that 2018 will be a great vintage, not only for Yorkshire but for all English and Welsh wine producers.
White Castle Vineyards, Wales – Robb Merchant, owner (and chairman of the Welsh Vineyards Association): “Harvest 2018 at White Castle Vineyard has been a gift, with volume well up and good quality, clean grapes. Following such a good summer, harvest could have started two to three weeks earlier than normal; however, with such large crops we have taken our time, to allow the grapes to enjoy the last of the autumn sunshine which has given us good sugars and lower acidity – ideal for still wines. Other Welsh vineyards are reporting much the same, with large crops and early harvest; some crops are double the normal harvest volume.”
Woodchester Valley Vineyard, Gloucestershire – Fiona Shiner, founder: “The fruit is very bountiful and clean this year – an amazing year!”
