Growing Season Glory at Brabourne Vineyard

By July, the vineyard at East Brabourne is in full swing. Vines are starting to set bunches of green grapes, the result of careful pruning, and a fair amount of good fortune with the weather.

“It all comes down to the weather in the flowering season” says Paul Fenwick. "Dry and sunny is what we always need. Now we’re focused on ripening and protecting the crop."

Each season brings something different. Some years the heat of summer gives a boost to the flavours for fuller still wines, other years a cooler summer leads to a crisp Cuvee. But everything starts with healthy grapes – and the sun always helps there!

Summer also means plenty of visitors, and it’s a great time to see the vineyard at its peak. Tours include a sneak peek at the grapes, with Paul or Hester explaining how each stage of the growing process influences the final bottle.

And of course, the tasting room is stocked with past vintages – including this year’s standout, the 2023 Albermarle Chardonnay. Bright, fresh and gently rounded, it’s summer in a glass.

Visit the vines, sample the wines: brabournevineyard.co.uk