The Vineyard Diaries

2010 Harvest at Welcombe Hills

We had a wonderful summer with a really good fruit set so - like many other growers - were looking forward to a bumper harvest, and in this respect the vintage was not disappointing.

The actual quantity exceeded that of 2006 and was equal to the harvests of both 2007 and 2008 put together. Unfortunately, from the end of August onwards we began to experience monsoon type rains here in Warwickshire, and the grapes which had firm skins began to suffer. This meant that the conditions for botrytis were ideal... and so there was a definite last minute panic to get the crop in before the rot took too firm a hold.

As always, we had excellent support from our team of trusty (retired) neighbours and friends, who took in their stride the fact that we were re-scheduling harvesting dates at short notice - but it was certainly a tricky operation to marshall teams of 10-12 people when conditions in the vineyard meant that Chris was taking the decision to pick, often the night before. The guests who joined us from our rent-a-row-of-vines scheme had an especial role to play this year and we owe them all a big "thank you" for being there on the day when it mattered!

At the end of the day we think the final result may prove to have been a good vintage but we certainly won't be able to make the wines of our choice. Thus, although the Bacchus, Auxerrois and Dornfelder came in "on time and as expected" in terms of their sugar and acid levels, we will produce only around 600 bottles of red (from the Pinot Noir Precoce) and a significant amount of sparkling (using the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc for a Blanc de Blancs and the Pinot Noir for a Sparkling Blush).

The learning curve in relation to what we would like to produce and what nature allows us to create continues to challenge us!