The Harvest Is In: Something Special Is Coming

Vineyard Notes by Sam Carlisle

October concludes the vineyard year here at Wyken.  The grapes have been gathered, the tools cleaned and stored, and there is a brief moment of respite before the pruning starts in Winter.

With the driest Summer since 1976 the constant question on our vineyard tours has been, “is climate change proving to be good for your wine?”  At Wyken we aim to make crisp, refreshing wines that rely on zingy acidity - one sip and, we hope, you’ll want to take another.  Endlessly warm Summers run the risk of higher sugars and plummeting acidity, which can make wine cloying and less complex.  However, this year we’ve been fortunate.  Despite some intense heat, we’ve had plenty of chillier nights and enough cool moments to ensure the grapes ripened over a long period. It is now both an eager and nerve-wracking wait to see what emerges from the winery. The signs are promising.

Of the 5 grape varieties we go, the last to be harvested is Kernling. This Reisling hybrid is a tiny proportion of our crop, and in great years can make a much sweeter, late harvest style, wine.  2025 was one such year, and later this month we will be releasing that vintage.  It is not quite a pudding wine, but would work well as an aperitif or pair with blue cheese or pate.  Limited to just 600 bottles, this is a very special wine, a something we’ve never come across from another English vineyard.