Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire has recorded its largest vineyard harvest to date, with operations commencing in late August, three weeks earlier than usual. Exceptional weather conditions contributed to improved grape quality, with harvesting expected to continue until the end of September.
The estate’s two-hectare vineyard, established six years ago on an east-west-facing slope, cultivates Solaris, Pino Prococe, Siegerrebe, and Seyval Blanc grape varieties. Previous production has fluctuated, rising from 700 bottles in 2021 to over 20,000 in 2022 and 2023, before dropping to 4,000 bottles in 2024 due to high rainfall. This year’s yield reflects a significant rebound.
Winemaking is carried out in partnership with Halfpenny Green Winery in Staffordshire, applying traditional double fermentation for sparkling wines, followed by two years of ageing. The estate highlights the vineyard’s soil composition and slope as key factors for frost management and vine health.
