Nyetimber announces start of 2019 harvest

The UK's largest sparkling wine producer, Nyetimber, has announced that its 2019 harvest will commence tomorrow, Saturday 5th October. With the estate now spanning a total of 214 hectares of estate-owned vineyards across three counties, this year will see the first harvest of fruit from Kent, in addition to Sussex and Hampshire.

Some 300 skilled works will set upon the hand picking of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier across eight of Nyetimber's vineyards over the next three weeks.

Nyetimber has made a number of high profile new releases this year, including the relaunch of its Demi Sec as Cuvee Chérie, a new vintage of its Blanc de Blancs 2013 and, most recently, the release of its second vintage of flagship Nyetimber 1086 Vintage 2010.

Commenting on the beginning of the 2019 harvest, Nyetimber Head Winemaker Cherie Spriggs states;

“The 2019 harvest seems to be shaping up to be a more typical year than 2018, with the start of picking returning to early October. It is too early to say much about the fruit chemistry or flavours, but we are particularly excited to get the first, albeit small, experience of fruit from 6 hectares of our Kent vineyards, which will give us an insight into the characteristics we can expect from this site.

 The growing conditions this year started with touches of spring frost, although we were largely unaffected, and a moderately warm, if at times wet, summer – all ‘typical’ factors in the UK which have previously resulted in great wines from years like 2009. Excellent work by our team in the vineyards has ensured optimal vine and fruit health, with all signs looking positive for both quality and quantity across West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent for the 214 hectares we will be harvesting from – the largest hectarage of any English sparkling wine producer currently.”

The 2019 Nyetimber Harvest Facts and Figures

Start date: Saturday 5th October
Hectares being harvested: 214
Vineyards being harvested: 8
Harvest pickers: 300

Vineyard locations & hectarage:
West Sussex – 150ha
Hampshire – 58ha
Kent – 6ha

Grape varieties and hectarage:
Chardonnay – 104ha
Pinot Noir – 74ha
Pinot Meunier – 36ha

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