Woodchester Valley Vineyard has officially begun its earliest harvest in the estate's history, starting on 2 September. It comes after a record-breaking hot and dry summer, which has led to an accelerated growing season and has the team optimistic about the quality and quantity of the 2025 vintage.
Grape harvests have been starting abnormally early across Europe this year, and England is no exception, with 2025 likely to be the hottest summer on record, putting the outstanding 2018 summer into second place.
Image - Woodchester Valley Vineyard
Fiona Shiner, Woodchester Valley Vineyard Founder says: “I remember the 2018 season well. It was the perfect combination of conditions resulting in a bumper crop of amazing quality. Much like this year, the grass was brown but the vines were a vibrant green and thrived.”
The 2018 vintage, the highest yielding year for the vineyard, produced a bumper crop of 180 tonnes, compared to just 49 tonnes in 2024. The estate's Blanc de Blancs 2018 recently won the joint Trophy for Best Blanc de Blancs at the WineGB Awards 2024 and was hailed as a "landmark wine" by wine critic Matthew Jukes.
This year’s harvest has started a full month earlier than the 2024 season and a week ahead of the previous record-breaking harvest in 2018. This early start is a result of nearly perfect conditions at the beginning of the growing season, including an early and quick flowering followed by a prolonged heatwave. These conditions have allowed for excellent fruit set and berry development.
Fiona continues: “It’s too early to tell what this long summer and early harvest means for our wines. Our harvest usually lasts from four to six weeks and a lot can happen between now and mid October. On my wishlist is an Indian Summer with plenty of dry September days to enjoy this early harvest. The forecast however is changeable conditions throughout September so picking will be a little tricky as we dodge the rain.”
Woodchester Valley Vineyard holds Tours & Tastings at its home in the Cotswolds seven days a week during harvest season where guests get to see the most active time of year at the vineyard.
“We think it’s the most exciting time to come and experience a Tour & Tasting,” Fiona adds. “On picking days, the press area is buzzing with activity, and if they’re available, guests get to try the grapes or grape juice right at the start of the winemaking process. It’s a fantastic experience whether you’re a wine connoisseur, or you simply enjoy drinking it.”
To book your space on a Vineyard Tour & Tasting, visit www.woodchestervalleyvineyard.co.uk/book-your-visit.
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