It was a fine and eventually sunny day but drippy to start with and one of the coldest of the month, blowing up an easterly as the day wore on. And as it turned out, the last day of the fine spell, with heavy rain on the Monday - narrow squeak!

But hasn’t it been a fantastic autumn! The pretty, pink Kernling grapes looked and tasted amazing, just as the Madeleine had a month earlier. But no getting away from the turning of the season. It’s proper autumn by the time we pick the Kernling, falling golden leaves from the poplars in the windbreak, a nip in the air, the sun aslant and the dusk early, and the harvest has a different atmosphere from the Madeleine one. Some blessings to count though, no wasps!

It was our usual crew, just a few new faces. Did an amazing job, as they always do. This year we had filming too - Visit Somerset are making a promo about Somerset food and drink and the crew were local, from Bridgwater’s Engine Room. Seemed to be all close-ups so don’t know if we’ll be identifiable.

The meal was in the farmhouse out of respect for the east wind. Moorish. Recipes from the Moro books. Mushroom and almond soup with Fino “En Rama”  (from Kelli’s Winscombe wine shop), fattoush with veg from Plowright organic up the roiad in Over Stowey and the last of the homegrown tomatoes, a beef tagine (beef from EWJ Hill of Cannington) with prunes and an orange salad, made by daughter Liz with medjool dates, rosewater and mint (thank you Ocado!). 

Monday was wet for the drive to the winery but hey, it didn’t matter, the grapes were safe under cover in the trailer. All that hovering over weather charts is over for another year! The crushing went smoothly. The free run sugar was 78 Oechsle but will probably press to 80.

Acid 12.5g/l.

Full set of photos, in our gallery here>>.

Many thanks to everyone who helped, the skilled pickers, including Chris and Lesley who heroically made the round trip from Hayling Island in the day and didn’t get home till nearly midnight after engine probs on the way home, Farmer John for the loan of his big trailer again, Liz and Howard for the photos and Liz for helping with the meal too. Now it’s over to Steve and son Harry up at the winery. Can’t wait to taste the wine! Oh and see the video! (We’ll let you know...)