Last few weeks before harvest

With picking only a few weeks away, we continue to monitor the grapes for the amount of sugar and acids. The ideal levels of sugar and acid will depend on the grape variety and the style of wine we are looking to make - picking at the right time will be crucial.

In cool climates, such as ours, it’s always important to maximise the exposure to the sun and maintain good ventilation in the canopy, particularly around the fruit. Removing leaves throughout the year is a major tool to help achieve this. Increased exposure to the sun will help to accelerate the accumulation of sugar in the berries, help develop more varietal character and flavour, while also decreasing total acid levels. Fewer leaves around the grapes also helps maintain good ventilation, therefore reducing the chance of rot and fungal diseases. It will also make the grapes far easier to see when it finally comes to picking!

Our picking dates are still to be confirmed, but we will be having at least four different days of picking. Around mid-September we will be picking half the Solaris, which we intend to make into a sparkling wine. This will be followed later in September by the Pinot Noir Precoce and the rest of the Solaris, before picking the Bacchus and Pinot Gris in October. If you’re interested in coming along to pick with us, please let our vineyard manager know on james@dunesforde.com. All training and equipment will be provided, and we will be putting on lunch and refreshments for all helpers.

The Pinot Noir Precoce is really starting to come along now…