2024 HARVEST REPORT:
We'll soon be launching our 2024 vintage, here's the harvest report from last year:
🍇 Weather and Growing Conditions.
Unpredictable climate: A mild, wet winter led to early bud break, increasing vulnerability to a damaging late frost in April, which affected some early-budding varieties.
Frequent rainfall throughout spring and summer created high disease pressure, particularly from powdery and downy mildew.
Limited sunshine in key ripening months, especially September, combined with above-average rainfall, led to extended ripening timelines but lower overall sugar accumulation in many sites.
🍇 Yields and Timing.
National wine production for 2024 is estimated at 6–7 million bottles, which is approximately 30–40% below the ten-year average.
Eastern vineyards, including those in Essex, generally experienced better outcomes than other parts of the country, with some top-performing sites yielding up to ~5.9 tonnes per hectare.
Harvesting was significantly extended, with some growers picking well into November to allow for full ripening.
🍇 Quality and Grape Varieties.
Despite lower yields, many growers reported excellent phenolic ripeness, due to longer hang times and selective picking.
Grapes achieved natural alcohol levels around 12–13%, with balanced acidity and clean, expressive fruit.
Key varieties performed well, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier, Bacchus, and still wine varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris.
📍 Vineyard Practices and Site Performance.
Vineyards with well-drained soils and favorable microclimates were able to extend hang time without significant disease pressure.
Growers employed techniques such as strategic canopy management, green harvesting, and careful disease monitoring to maintain fruit quality.
Later harvest dates allowed slower ripening, which enhanced flavour development despite lower sunshine hours.
🎯 Summary
Details
Total Output (UK) ~6–7 million bottles (↓30–40% vs 10‑year average)
Yield Estimates
Up to ~5.9 t/ha in top-performing eastern sites
Key Varieties
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier, Bacchus, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris
Harvest Timing
Extended into November in some areas
Quality Notes
Clean, ripe fruit; balanced acidity; good phenolic development
✅ Final Takeaway.
The 2024 vintage in Essex showcased how resilient vineyard practices and strategic decision making can result in high-quality fruit, even during a difficult season.
Though yields were reduced, extended ripening and careful management allowed for the production of well-balanced, expressive wines, particularly among still white and red varieties.
For 2024 we will be producing 3 wines, our Rose, our Mountfitchet White and our Mountfitchet Red.
The 2024 vintages will be available soon from www.thegunyahvineyard.com
