Nyetimber joins English optimism with vintage expectations from earliest ever harvest

By Oliver Catchpole

Published: 20 August, 2026

Nyetimber is expecting 2026 to be another vintage year – following 2025 – suggesting that its grapes will be of ‘distinctive quality’ despite some challanges along the way.

The producer is also gearing up for its earliest-ever harvest, with picking to begin around mid-September – several weeks before its average start date.

This announcement comes after this year’s unprecedented summer, which saw a series of heatwaves sweep the UK, prompting a number of optimistic announcements from English wine producers, including from Wine GB.

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Last week, Rathfinny Wine Estate noted ‘encouraging signs of quality in its vineyards’ with yields expected to be up to 30% higher than last year – as reported by Harpers.

Noting that “even a typical English summer can producer beautiful sparkling wines”, Nyetimber explained that its vines have been resilient through the heat, meaning that its team will be able to harvest at optimum ripeness – with the fruit already progressing well.

While conditions over the next weeks could still have a significant impact on quality, the producer will most likely begin picking around mid-September.

That is roughly 1-3 days earlier than previous early harvests in both 2018 and 2025, and weeks earlier than average.

While the producer struggled with frosts in May – with around 30% of its vineyards affected – the warmer summer weather has allowed some of these vines to catch up, ensuring high quality despite reduced yields.

Nyetimber’s head winemaker, Cherie Spriggs, explained: “We’re hopeful for what this year’s harvest will offer.

“Despite the challenges that frosts and drought have brought for our vineyard teams, the long, hot summer has also provided excellent growing conditions for our sparkling wines.

“We’re hoping that Mother Nature remains on our side for the last few weeks leading up to harvest so that this year’s vintage can reach its full potential.”

The outgoing UK summer broke several records for heat and lack of rain, which scientists have attributed to man-made climate change.

Such conditions have so far been seen as a positive for the English wine industry, with vines thriving in the dry heat.

Nyetimber has 11 vineyards spanning 430ha across West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent – all areas where summer conditions were at some of their most extreme.

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