Rolling update: English wine harvest predictions

Published: 29 August, 2012

The English wine harvest is looking to be around two weeks later than the previous few years, with average to below-average crops.

August 29

Julia Trustram-Eve, marketing manager of English Wine Producers, said vineyards are on average about two weeks behind in grape ripening, which will put the harvest back. "However, there is still September to come, which I gather is looking to bring better weather and will certainly help a lot with ripening/raising sugar levels. There's no doubt that just like other European wine regions, we will be down on volume and that it's been a tricky year for pretty much all - but we've still the next weeks to come."

Regionally, over in Cornwall Sam Lindo, Camel Valley's winemaker, said it's looking around 30% down on an average crop, with everything behind, due to late flowering.
"I don't think we'll be picking anything in September this year. Although, there's still time for some really good weather and that could change everything." Lindo added: "We're quite happy with the way things are progressing. This year has been what is considered as normal British weather."

Martin Fowke, vineyard manager at Three Choirs Vineyards in Gloucestershire, said: "There's probably still a chance we might make an average crop, but harvest is looking to be quite late - around the third to fourth week of September. Considering we've had a lot of rain, surprisingly flowering was OK. But what size the grapes are going to be, we don't know yet."

If you would like to add your vintage update, please contact carol.emmas@william-reed.co.uk.

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