English winemakers are anticipating their earliest grape harvest on record and a potential vintage year following an exceptionally hot and dry summer, while beer producers face concerns over poor barley yields that could affect beer supply.
Nyetimber, a pioneering English sparkling wine producer known for its exclusive cultivation of pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier, plans to begin harvesting grapes on 14 September. This marks the earliest harvest since the company first planted vines in 1988 and surpasses its previous early harvest in 2018, which began on 19 September. With 11 vineyards located primarily in West Sussex, Kent, and Hampshire, Nyetimber has hired approximately 500 pickers for the 2026 harvest.
Despite some setbacks from late spring frosts that damaged nearly 30% of the vines and a summer drought that reduced berry size, the extended period of sunshine and heat has accelerated ripening and increased sugar concentration in the grapes. This combination suggests the possibility of a high-quality vintage, although harvest volumes are expected to be slightly below average. Nyetimber estimates a yield close to 2,500 tonnes of grapes, potentially producing over 1.5 million bottles of sparkling wine.
Cherie Spriggs, Nyetimber’s head winemaker, expressed enthusiasm about the unprecedented timing and quality potential of this harvest, acknowledging that the season brought challenges but also promising conditions for the development of their wines.
In contrast, beer producers in England are facing difficulties due to the extreme weather conditions. The UK’s hottest summer on record, highlighted by a peak temperature of 38.1°C (100.1°F) at Kew Gardens in London on 13 August, combined with drought, has negatively impacted barley crops. Barley is a critical ingredient in beer production, and poor yields may lead to shortages and higher prices. Lisa Hogan, who manages the Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire alongside television presenter Jeremy Clarkson, noted the potential for reduced beer availability due to the diminished barley harvest. Their farm is known for producing Hawkstone Lager.
Some brewers are responding by seeking alternative grains and sourcing barley from regions less affected by the drought, while industry leaders hope for improved weather conditions in the coming year to stabilize future harvests.
Scientists have linked the unusual heatwaves and drought directly to the ongoing climate crisis driven by fossil fuel emissions. Globally, August was one of the warmest months on record, with temperatures approximately 1.65°C above preindustrial levels, underscoring concerns about increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events affecting agriculture.
The contrasting outlooks for winemakers and brewers highlight the complex and varied impacts of climate change on different sectors within England’s agricultural economy.