Woodchester Valley

2023 Vintage Report

“Starting a little later than usual, on the 26th September and finishing on the 31st October, it was our second biggest harvest after 2018 in some difficult wet and windy conditions. Coming after the almost perfect weather of 2022, it was a reminder of the challenges we can face growing grapes in a cool climate. A traditional English autumn is often wet and windy. This year’s unpredictable weather patterns which varied from heat wave to heavy rain made picking days difficult to plan and when we were harvesting, we were picking a lot of grapes to get ahead of the next rain event. The press was going at full speed with four presses a day. It was intense. The battle with the usual wildlife and insects added to the pressure. The short heatwave in September and the few days of above average temperatures in October were invaluable and enabled our amazing vineyard and winery team to pick and press 173.4 tonnes of grapes. The ferments are ongoing but the juice and ferments are tasting good. Work doesn’t stop in the vineyard just because harvest is over, the nets need to be collected in, the machinery cleaned and stored away for the 2024 season and trellis and maintenance work continues. ”