Harvest Report 2023

A Record Vintage

All the grapes at Nutbourne have now been picked, weighing in at a record total of just over 84 tonnes of fruit, gathered over 10 picking days. This is even more than the wonderful vintage of 2018!

Our harvest started in the old vines with the Germanic varietals – Huxelrebe, Reichensteiner, Bacchus – for our estate’s field blend Sussex Reserve and single varietal- Bacchus. We then worked our way through the rows of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for Nutty Vintage 23,  and then Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, finishing up with more Chardonnay for another special a barrel fermented still wine. The juice tasted delicious and the ferments are now all underway, we can’t wait to see how they progress over Winter. There are two new still wines to be released in coming years, both firsts for Nutbourne: Red Pinot Meunier and a White Pinot Noir.

As ever, it was a family affair. Bridget Gladwin led the pickers with snips in hand. Lani Gladwin joined the team out in the vines for her first harvest experience. Oliver and Richard Gladwin escaped the restaurants to gathered the crates of grapes in our trusty old tractors, picking up all 84 tons of fruit to transport into the winery. Gregory Gladwin has been in charge of the winemaking process, always first in the mornings and working well into the night. Gregory’s activities continue throughout winter as he monitors, filters and blends the wines, guided by our consultant winemaker, Owen Elias. Peter Gladwin has just been in charge of the worrying!

We are very grateful to all the seasonal staff and pickers for helping to grow and gather this sensational crop, we couldn’t do it without them. Harvest is a great experience and there’s nothing like the taste of a wine when you know you have been a part of its making!