Harvest 2018

As a cornerstone of our calendar, harvest is a time to relish the qualities of each remarkable grape variety. As a true pioneer, we were the first producer of English sparkling wine to exclusively plant Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes, with each bringing a unique character to every bottle of Nyetimber.  In the lead up to harvest, our grapes are tasted daily, with particular flavours being identified in the fruit from each Nyetimber vineyard. At optimum ripeness, the grapes are hand-picked by our skilled vineyard team on a parcel-by-parcel basis. Pickers move briskly through the rows of vines, gathering the finest bunches of fruit to continue on to the next stage of harvest – pressing.
Once picked, the grapes are transported to our Pressing Centre, where the fruit from individual parcels is gently pressed separately.  This allows our winemaking team to capture the subtle differences in each vineyard of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier that, after delicate blending, go on to sparkle in every Nyetimber wine. From the bunches of Pinot Noir that create the distinctive red fruit aromas in our Rosé, to the Chardonnay grapes that balance the delicate sweetness of our Demi-Sec, we strive to celebrate the abundance of flavour present in each and every Nyetimber vineyard.
Though the journey from vine to glass extends far beyond harvest, this early stage of the winemaking process is vital for capturing the promise of our grapes. Harvest marks the end of months of thorough monitoring by our Viticulturist and vineyard team and the start of the winemaking process – where artistry, craftsmanship and our pioneering spirit come together to enhance the potential of our grapes. The years that follow serve to enhance the flavours present from the beginning, with careful blending and ageing allowing our wines to develop the nuances that make each Nyetimber wine unique.
Harvest is a time for celebration, with each vineyard tasted, picked and pressed in pursuit of crafting exceptional sparkling wines – wines that will be savoured during your special moments with loved ones over the years to come.