2025 was our 11th harvest and so you would have thought we are old hands at grape picking, pressing and winemaking. But, with the weather being so super changeable, every year is different and throws surprises and challenges at us.  2025 was a bit of a roller coaster to be frank. But with a very happy ending! The Spring was very good, no frost. early summer was equally helpful. But by the middle of summer we thought we were in trouble – the weather turned very cold and it could not stop raining. Comments from customers about the year – hyped up by the media –  were met with typical farmer negativity…

But, then the weather turned and we had the most amazing late summer/early Autumn! We started picking 27th September and picked in glorious sunshine and balmy temperatures until 17th October.

Bunches were light due to the cold 2024 Spring and as a result yields were middling but the quality has been amazing. High sugars, super ripeness and gorgeous fruit flavours.  The famous hints of rose petal in our Pinot Noir shone through and the Chardonnay produced some of its best fruit.  We could have done with more Pinot Noir Précoce but can only blame ourselves (the birds got to it before we got the netting up!).

Picking is our favourite time of year and again we had a wonderful group of newsletter subscribers, trade customers, locals and friends join us picking and lending a hand in the winery. Plus of course the professionals!

The grapes and juice is now slowly becoming wine in the new winery. We know it will be a great Blanc de Blancs vintage, we are excited about adding this vintage to our new solera reserve wine system for our non vintage sparkling. And with our Pinot dominant classic cuveé and Blanc de Noirs this is the year for sure.

We can’t wait to share the 2025 wines with you – we know that this is a very special vintage.