The weekend of the 28th September 2024 saw the annual Calancombe Estate grape harvest take place. Despite a smaller yield than is typical, the grape harvest in our Devon vineyard went smoothly, aided by a great team of pickers and lovely weather.
So far, the juice from the harvest shows promise, with balanced acidity and excellent phenolics, suggesting a bright future for our English wines.
Browse the gallery from our 2024 Harvest below!
Grape Harvest FAQs
When does the grape harvest take place?
Harvesting grapes for winemaking in the UK is a critical stage in the winemaking process, typically taking place from late September to October. It depends on various factors such as the grape variety, weather conditions, and the desired ripeness. Due to the UK’s cool climate, we have to focus heavily on disease control to ensure grape health before harvest.
How are the grapes harvested?
In the UK, both hand-picking and mechanical harvesting are used. Hand-picking is more common in smaller vineyards,and allows for more precise selection, ensuring only ripe and healthy grapes are harvested. It’s for this reason that we choose this method in the Calancombe Estate vineyard.
What happens to the grapes once they are picked?
Once the grapes are picked, they are quickly transferred to the winery. For white wines, the grapes are usually pressed immediately to extract the juice and discard the skins. Fermentation begins soon after harvest, where yeast converts the sugars in the grape juice into alcohol​.