23 Feb, 2024
Harvest on a vineyard is a magical time. It is the end of a year of growing and the start of the winemaking cycle. Harvest will happen every year, whatever the weather. The harvest season here at Three Choirs Vineyard usually starts in September. Although, as it is dependent on the right weather conditions throughout the growing season, there is no guarantee when it will actually begin! Harvest then goes through October. There are definitely some harvests which are better than others. So, what makes the perfect harvest on a vineyard? The key thing is always to pick the grapes at the right time – not too early and not too late. Grapes which are picked too soon can lack the flavour, richness and complexity we value in our wines. But overripe grapes can add too much sugar and therefore too much alcohol to the wine. The right time will vary from year to year, and we have to use all of our experience to make the right decisions. Throughout the growing season, vineyards monitor the grapes carefully until the ideal level of sugar and acidity is reached for a particular wine.