English sparkling wine producer Nyetimber expects its harvest to start several weeks earlier than average, following this summer’s heatwave.
Nyetimber is forecasting picking across its vineyards in West Sussex, Hampshire, and Kent will begin in mid-September, roughly one to three days earlier than previous early harvests in 2018 and 2025, and weeks earlier than average harvests.
The warm weather experienced across June and July boded well for the quality of this year’s harvest, according to Nyetimber head winemaker Cherie Spriggs. Approximately 30% of Nyetimber’s vineyards were hit by severe spring frosts in May, but the hot, dry conditions since had enabled some of the frost-affected vines to catch up ahead of harvesting, she said.
“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,” she said. “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.”
Warm summer weather is typically positive for wine-growing in the UK, giving grapes the time to ripen sufficiently before harvesting. Too little rain can cause drought stress, leading to lower yields and lower acidity, however.
Nyetimber produces both multi-vintage and vintage-dated wines, with the latter limited to years of distinctive quality.
“Our vineyard team has had to be very proactive and resilient over the 2026 growing season,” said Nyetimber CEO Eric Heerema. “At this stage, it looks like all the effort has paid off and that we’ll be able to produce some top-quality wines as a result.
“I’m looking forward to the beginning of harvest and to tasting wines from this vintage in years to come!”
No comments yet