Wine lovers often speak about vintage as if it were a single word that explains everything — flavour, aroma, colour, even price. But in truth, “vintage” is shorthand for an entire year’s worth of weather, vineyard decisions, and nature’s little surprises.
Here in the UK, where the climate has always had a flair for drama, the balance of sunshine and rainfall is one of the most important influences on the grapes we harvest. Each year, these two elements write their own chapter in our vineyard’s story — and every glass you pour is a taste of that narrative.
Why Weather Matters More Than You Think
A grapevine is a living, breathing plant that responds directly to its environment. It doesn’t just grow regardless of the conditions — it thrives, struggles, or adapts depending on what the year brings.
In warmer wine regions, the vintage variation is relatively small: grapes ripen reliably, and wine styles stay consistent. In the UK, however, a single month’s weather can make the difference between a bountiful harvest and a nail-biting wait for ripeness.
This variability is not a drawback. In fact, it’s part of what makes English and Welsh wines so distinctive: no two years are the same, and the weather leaves its fingerprint on the flavour profile.
Sunshine: Nature’s Sweetener and Ripener
Think of sunshine as the energy bank account of the vine. Through photosynthesis, the vine’s leaves turn sunlight into sugars, which flow into the grapes. These sugars not only contribute to sweetness but also feed fermentation later, helping the yeast produce alcohol.
- Warm, sunny summers allow grapes to ripen fully, increasing sugar levels, deepening flavour, and reducing the sharp edges of acidity. Wines from such years often have generous fruit character, a rounder mouthfeel, and a touch more alcohol.
- Cooler, cloudier years slow ripening. This can mean lower sugar levels and higher acidity — qualities that are not necessarily negative. In fact, high acidity is one reason English sparkling wine has earned global praise for its freshness and precision.
Here in the UK, the key challenge is achieving enough “degree days” — a measure of accumulated warmth — for the grapes to fully mature. Some years, September sunshine comes to the rescue, giving the fruit a last burst of ripening. Other years, the sun plays hide-and-seek, and we adapt our picking schedules accordingly.
Rainfall: Both Lifeline and Threat
If sunshine is the fuel, rain is the hydration system. Without water, vines would shut down; too much, and they can become overfed and vulnerable.
- Spring showers help wake the vines and support strong shoot and leaf growth.
- Steady rainfall in summer can keep vines from drought stress, allowing berries to swell to a healthy size.
- Heavy rain close to harvest, however, is often unwelcome. Too much water at this stage can dilute the juice, reduce sugar concentration, and increase the risk of fungal diseases like powdery mildew or botrytis cinerea.
That said, not all botrytis is bad. In certain conditions, “noble rot” — a specific, controlled form of botrytis — can actually concentrate flavours and sugars, producing luscious dessert wines. It’s a rare occurrence in the UK, but when the conditions align, it can create something truly special.
The Dance Between the Two
Sun and rain don’t just act in isolation — it’s their sequence that matters. A sunny spell followed by light rain can invigorate the vines, encouraging rapid berry development. Conversely, prolonged rain during flowering in early summer can lead to “coulure” (poor fruit set), resulting in fewer grapes.
The most desirable pattern for many vineyards is a moderate, even mix: enough sunshine to build sugars and flavours, and just enough rain to keep vines healthy without water-logging the soil.
Vineyard Decisions in Response to Weather
As growers, we’re not passive spectators. We adapt to whatever the season brings, using techniques such as:
- Canopy management — trimming and arranging leaves to maximise sun exposure and air flow, reducing disease risk.
- Crop thinning — removing some grape clusters so the vine’s energy is concentrated in the remaining fruit, encouraging better ripening.
- Drainage improvement — ensuring excess rain doesn’t sit around vine roots for too long.
- Frost protection — from wind machines to heaters, or even spraying water to form an insulating ice layer on tender buds.
Every decision aims to balance what nature provides with the style of wine we hope to produce.
Why This Matters to You as a Wine Drinker
When you buy a bottle from our vineyard, you’re not just purchasing a drink. You’re experiencing that year’s journey — the spring frosts, the golden afternoons, the gentle rains, and the tense days before harvest when we’re checking the forecast every hour.
The interplay between sun and rain is part of what makes wine magical. It’s why two bottles of the same varietal from different years can taste worlds apart. It’s also why we love showing visitors around the vineyard: you can literally see the sky’s influence on the vines as the season unfolds.
Raising a Glass to the Weather
In the UK, we may talk about the weather more than anyone else, but here in the vineyard, we have good reason. Every drop of rain, every beam of sunlight, every gust of wind — they all leave their mark on the grapes and, in turn, on the wine in your glass.
The next time you taste one of our wines, see if you can detect the season’s story. Was it a bright, sun-kissed summer? Or a cool, rain-washed year full of freshness? Either way, you’re tasting something completely unique — a once-in-a-lifetime expression of that year’s dance between sun and rain.