Hazel End Vineyard

2024 Vintage

“Things kicked off at Hazel End on the night of 25 April with bitter cold winds that caught new growth just after bud burst. Although the vines seemed to recover, there were two generations of buds – pre and post the freeze – which produce two generations of fruit on the same bunch. These are often called hens and chicks and the chicks never reach maturity. Back in the 1980s, we planted vines in what proved to be a frost pocket and relocated to a warmer site but we have never taken any other frost precautions, The future may be different but, up to now, the cost/benefit equation has never warranted it. Summer was wet which is not only unhelpful for pollination but encourages the growth of watershoots. We had deer damage in June and bird damage in September but no SWD (touch wood) and, oddly, 2024 was a year without wasps. Although we controlled mildew with judicious spraying, the harvest was barely half a normal year. Despite the lack of sunshine, sugar levels were above average. Acidity was lower than we would wish for sparkling wine so we will make only still and plan to experiment with new blends in modest quantities.”