In such an interesting year, we are very grateful for the glorious weather in 2020. We did have some challenges with spring frosts, particularly the last late one in the middle of May, but with our usual care and attention we lit our bougies (frost protection candles) four times which saved the vineyard and no frost damage was recorded.
Due to such big harvests in 2018 & 19, the 2020 yields are lower and more in line with our average. A comparatively smaller vintage will be helpful in light of the additional Covid-19 protocols required in the winery during harvest. This latest September heatwave will ensure a high quality vintage as sugars are rising by the minute and the fruit is currently looking incredibly clean, with the Pinot Meunier and the Chardonnay looking stellar.
We are expecting to begin picking at Ridgeview on the 24th of September which will be one of our earliest harvests reflecting an extremely rapid phase between verasion and ripening, normally this would take around 5 weeks but this year it has been two weeks. The forecast for the next week or so looks like it is remaining dry so we are very excited about the potential of 2020 harvest – one good thing to celebrate anyway!
Tour our beautiful estate in the Sussex countryside and try a selection of our award-winning English sparkling wines. And, there is no better way to round off your experience than a visit to our restaurant, The Rows & Vine.
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