Sizzling summer bolsters promising 2025 grape harvest in the UK
The UK's wine industry is brimming with optimism as the 2025 harvest approaches, following a summer that has been the warmest on record. vineyards across the country are anticipating bountiful yields and quality grapes, similar to the successful 2018 vintage.
Robb Merchant, owner of White Castle Vineyard in Wales, is particularly optimistic about the 2025 vintage for both sparkling and still wines. He expects yields to be around four times higher than last year, although roughly in-line with average volumes. Higher sugar levels and lower acidity are expected across the crop, which is particularly promising for still wine programs.
Merchant isn't alone in his optimism. Fiona Shiner, founder of Woodchester Valley Vineyard, also expressed optimism for the 2025 vintage. However, she noted that a lot can still happen between September and mid-October. Harvest for wines at Woodchester Valley Vineyard started on 2 September, which is the earliest start to harvest for the estate.
Cherie Spriggs, head winemaker at Nyetimber, is quietly optimistic about the 2025 vintage, but much depends on the coming weeks. The growing conditions in 2025 are exceptionally favorable and similar to 2018, a successful vintage for Nyetimber. As a result, the harvest at Nyetimber is expected to be earlier than usual.
UK wineries, including Woodchester Valley Vineyard, are hoping to bounce back from rain-hit volumes in the 2024 vintage. Lyme Bay Winery holds strong expectations for the 2025 vintage, with Clem Yates MW, wine consultant and Lyme Bay Winery, expecting the harvest to start on 9 September, around three weeks earlier than last year.
The growth of English and Welsh still wine sales has outpaced the growth of sparkling wine sales, a trend that could continue with the promising 2025 vintage. However, the summer drought has taken its toll on some young vines planted in 2023 at White Castle Vineyard, according to Robb Merchant.
Rain over the past week has been good for later varieties of grapes, such as Cabernet Franc, Regent, and Phoenix. The rain has provided some relief for these vines, ensuring a successful harvest for these varieties as well.
As the harvest season begins, winemakers across the UK are looking forward to a bountiful 2025 vintage. The French harvest is also expected to see a jump in volumes, particularly in Burgundy and Champagne, making it a promising year for wine enthusiasts worldwide.
