Local vineyard raises a glass to bumper harvest

By Claire Dukes - 30 October 2018

Arts and CultureFood & DrinkBusiness

Wine growers at Swindon's closest vineyard are celebrating a bumper crop with more than 20 tonnes of grapes picked.

Since the vineyard was established in 2010, a warm summer this year has meant the the UK grape harvest was the earliest – and one of the largest – since 1982.  At Poulton Hill Vineyard, on the Wiltshire/Gloucestershire border, the yield was up a third on last year.
 
The first grapes to be harvested at Poulton Hill were the white Seyval Blanc and Phoenix varieties, which are used to make sparkling wine. The last grapes off the vine were the red Regent and Rondo varieties. 
 
Tiléri Charles-Jones, Poulton Hill's managing director, said: "The final tonnage came in at a record-breaking 22 tonnes, smashing all of our harvests to date. We are thrilled.
 
"Even with five days of rain which halted picking, the fruit was harvested in record time. 
 
"Last year's harvest yielded 15 tonnes of grapes, and the fruit was still being harvested in late October."
 
All Poulton Hill Vineyard's wines are pressed from grapes picked by hand and are suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
 
Customers won't have to wait long to try the 2018 vintage, which will be on shelves and restaurant wine lists from May next year, with Bulari sparkling wine available from 2020. 
 
Outlets include Michelin Guide-rated The Bell at Langford, The Village Pub at Barnsley, The Plough Inn at Cold Aston, The Find coffee house in Cheltenham, and the Malt & Anchor in Cirencester, rated the best new fish and chip shop in the 2018 National Fish and Chips Awards. 
 
The wines are also available from the vineyard direct at their Cellar Door, Poulton Hill Vineyard, Cirencester GL7 5JA, or via the website at www.poultonhillestate.co.uk

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