October 2026: Harvest Time at Brabourne Vineyard

After a long hot summer, the harvest this year at Brabourne Vineyard will be one of the earliest ever - with picking planned for the first weekend of October. Whilst some other Kent vineyards have already finished picking by mid-September, the higher elevations give a slightly later season for those on the downs.

'We choose our picking dates carefully, guided by the grapes' says Hester Fenwick 'too early and the flavours will not be developed enough, too late and the acidity may drop too low and we face battling disease too'.

When the grapes are ready, neighbours, friends and family all turn up for an intense day of harvest. Everything is picked by hand so the more pickers, the quicker the harvest. This year will be a big harvest with about 7 tonnes forecast. Team spirit is always high and friends chat as they work their way down either side of each row - hands working fast all the time. A celebratory glass each over lunch and then wine to take home as the pickers head off, and thoughts turn to moving the grapes down to Oxney vineyard, ready for pressing.

'Although harvest will soon by over, plans are well underway for autumn and winter activities - with evenings of painting in the vines and, closer to Christmas, wreath making weekends planned. There's rarely a time when the peace of the vineyard is not accompanied by the gentle chatter of visitors.

For more information, visit brabournewine.com