Record-Breaking UK Summer Fuels Optimism for 2025 Wine Vintage

The United Kingdom has experienced its hottest summer on record, and winemakers across England and Wales are expressing cautious optimism about the prospects for the 2025 vintage. As harvest season approaches, many in the industry are hopeful that the exceptional weather will translate into high-quality sparkling and still wines.

Robb Merchant, owner of White Castle Vineyard in Abergavenny, Wales, described the outlook as “very promising.” He highlighted the development of grape varieties such as Pinot Noir Precoce and Siegerrebe, with harvest expected to begin around September 12. Merchant noted that recent rainfall has been beneficial, especially for later-ripening varieties like Cabernet Franc, Regent, and Phoenix. He also reported that yields in 2025 could be four times higher than last year, though this would bring them back in line with average volumes after a difficult 2024.

Cherie Spriggs, head winemaker at Nyetimber, one of England’s leading sparkling wine producers, said she was quietly optimistic about the upcoming vintage. She compared this year’s growing conditions to those of 2018, which produced an outstanding vintage for many UK wineries. Spriggs emphasized that while conditions have been favorable so far, much depends on the weather in the coming weeks.

The UK’s Met Office confirmed that the mean temperature for June through August reached 16.1°C (61°F), surpassing the previous record set in 2018. This warmth has led to an earlier start to harvests across several regions. Brad Greatrix, senior winemaker at Nyetimber, explained that an early harvest gives producers more flexibility to pick grapes at optimal ripeness.

Clem Yates MW, a wine consultant working with Lyme Bay Winery, said their harvest would likely begin on September 9—about three weeks earlier than last year. Yates reported strong expectations for the 2025 vintage, citing higher sugar levels and lower acidity in the grapes. These conditions are particularly favorable for still wines, where balance and ripeness are crucial. Yates also mentioned that close collaboration with growers throughout the season has helped manage crop levels and ensure fruit quality.

At Woodchester Valley Vineyard in the Cotswolds, picking began on September 2—the earliest start ever for the estate. Founder Fiona Shiner recalled similarities to the warm 2018 season when both yield and quality were exceptional. However, she cautioned that it is still too early to predict how this year’s long summer and early harvest will ultimately affect their wines. The vineyard’s harvest typically lasts four to six weeks, leaving time for further changes before completion in mid-October.

The optimism surrounding this year’s crop comes after a challenging 2024 vintage marked by heavy rainfall and low yields—the lowest since 2016 according to WineGB, the UK wine industry trade body. Despite increased vineyard plantings making 2024 the fourth largest harvest on record by volume, many producers struggled with reduced output.

Some challenges remain for young vines planted in 2023, which have struggled with drought during this hot summer. However, Merchant at White Castle Vineyard said that vines due for harvest this year are looking healthy and robust.

As vineyards across England and Wales prepare for an early and potentially abundant harvest, winemakers remain watchful of weather patterns over the coming weeks. The hope is that continued favorable conditions will allow them to deliver a standout 2025 vintage that builds on recent successes in British wine production.