Summer has arrived at Elham Valley Vineyard in all its unpredictability. With late spring being marked by unwelcome frosts that saw some slight damage to a few vines, the season has continued to keep us on our toes. We’ve seen a remarkable contrast of weather, from record high temperatures to periods of strong wind and heavy rain. This is not ideal for vines, which thrive on a gentle transition between the seasons, this year’s conditions have provided anything but steady progress into summer!

The combination of plentiful winter rain and an early burst of heat encouraged the vines to accelerate into life. The vines enthusiastically produced an abundance of fruit and while this may seem promising, quality wine begins with careful vineyard management, and our team has been busy selecting the healthiest fruit growth while thinning out the rest. If we don’t do this, we risk having far too many small, unripened grapes with limited quality juice content.

Throughout the vineyard, support wires have recently been lifted to guide and protect the rapidly growing shoots and canes. It is a busy but rewarding time of year, as every task carried out now plays an important role in shaping the wines that will eventually make their way into the bottle.

Following last year’s record harvest, our newest releases (the 2024 Sparkling Cuvée and the 2025 Dry White) are selling well. As the vineyard flourishes in the summer sunshine, we are also looking forward to welcoming guests to our first Cheese and Wine Event at the end of June, celebrating English Wine Week and another exciting chapter in the vineyard’s story.