Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog -November 2025
We have arrived at the end of another year in the vineyard and I am
delighted to say that the vines have excelled themselves in what was,
admittedly, a very good year to be cultivating grapes in England.
The disappointment of no harvest in 2024 was a distant memory on Sunday 5th
October when, under cloudless blue skies, we picked top quality grapes
which will be made into a Sparkling Wine for release in 2028; the grapes
had an almost perfect balance of acidity and natural sugar, excellent
quality with barely any disease. I would venture to say that 2025 will
match 2022, which was the last great vintage in England, time will tell !
I would like to thank those of you who helped with the harvest and also for
your efforts throughout the Spring and Summer, it is greatly appreciated
and we couldn’t do it without you !
As many of you know by now, our vineyard is planted predominantly with a
variety called Seyval Blanc, which - in our opinion - is ideally suited to
English conditions. Undoubtedly the doyen of Seyval Blanc was Peter Hall,
of Breaky Bottom vineyard near Lewes, and it is with great sadness that we
learnt of his passing last month. My brother and I were fortunate to have a
private audience with him in 2024 in which he imparted some valuable tricks
of his trade ! His obituary (below) gives you a feel for this incredible
vigneron who will be much missed. English wine has lost a great character.
https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/tribute-peter-hall-1943-2025
Rest In Peace, Peter Hall, 1943-2025
Kind Regards
Jonathan
