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Heatwave brings a bumper crop

Family-run Kerry Vale vineyard on the South Shropshire border says this summer's heatwave has been very good news for their vines and it looks like they will have a bumper crop.

Owner Geoff Ferguson said‘This year we’ve had ‘near perfect’ weather. The sustained warm weather after a period of rain and colder months, means the quality of grapes on the vine is exceptional. The flowering has been completely uninterrupted and early, the bunches look fantastic.

The forecast also looks very promising, but it’s too early to start celebrating just yet! The weather during the harvest period will be crucial in deciding the end result. Ideally the vineyard needs enough rain in August to swell the crop and a warm September for harvest.

The lack of rain across much of the UK has proved problematic for many farmers and fruit growers, but not vineyards!   ‘At the moment it looks as though we are going to have a fantastic harvest in terms of both quality and quantity,’ said Geoff.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) said 2018 was set to be a vintage year thanks to a wet spring followed by the heatwave that led to early flowering vines and generous bunches which were “shaping up to provide a bountiful harvest”.

The last bumper year Kerry Vale and other English wine producers experienced  was in 2014. “We are hoping  that 2018 will be even better” said Geoff.

Due to the fine weather, harvest  is going to be a early this year, which makes for a great vintage and should produce stunning wines. Kerry Vale Vineyard has three grape varieties; Rondo, Phoenix and Solaris.

Pictured: Kerry Vale Vineyard owners June and Geoff Ferguson

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