Record warm and sunny weather from May to September, with the occasional rainy few hours to swell the grapes. On the 16th September, for the 2nd year running our earliest ever harvest in 29 years, showers threatened but didn’t materialise for the Madeleine pick.

The crop was heavier than we’d realised and it was 3.30 pm when we sat down to our harvest meal. A family affair as usual with daughter Liz leading in the kitchen and Ned, Paula, Jane, and even field-master Iain, buckling down and picking, along with friends old and new.

Thanks to all who helped on the day - you were stars! - to Farmer John for the loan of his 3 ton trailer and to Steve, Harry and Kevin up at the winery.