News Story

An English wine producer has begun its earliest harvest ever after record-breaking heat this summer.

A small number of grapes can be picked from September 14 at Nyetimber vineyards as some vines have already matured, believed to be mainly because of this year’s hot weather.

The harvest is starting five days earlier than the previous earliest start of September 19 in 2018.

Nyetimber, which has 11 vineyards across West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent, will then ramp up harvesting from September 21 which could result in 1.5 million bottles of sparkling wine.

Company bosses believe that 2026 could be a “vintage year” because of the recent weather conditions.

Provisional figures published by the Met Office show the UK experienced its warmest summer since temperature records began in 1884.

Some 80 pickers were on site at Nyetimber’s vineyard in Amberley, West Sussex on Monday.

Head winemaker at the company, Cherie Spriggs, said: “This year brings another unprecedented vintage as we begin harvesting earlier than ever.

“We are excited to taste the fruits of our labour, which as always has come with certain challenges: late spring frosts that affected almost 30% and the summer drought which has decreased the size of certain berries.

“However, the hot and sunny weather has helped to balance out these factors, giving us strong potential for fantastic wine quality.”

From September 21 around 500 pickers will be taking part in the harvest with an average of up to 170 tonnes per day expected to be collected.

The harvest will go on until early October.