Purbeck vineyard expecting a bumper harvest

Description:

Purbeck has bumper grape harvest !

Saturday could have passed off as a mid-summer's day were it not for the chill in the air. However it was perfect weather for the grape harvest at the Purbeck Vineyard.

The vines are planted on a slope for maximum exposure to the sun and the vineyard's elevated position provides the perfect panorama across the valley.

The general consensus among those involved was that 2009 would be a vintage year for the Purbeck Vineyard due to our Indian Summer which is showing little sign of abating.

The two prevoius years have seen poor harvests because of our wet summers but this year the vineyard owners are quite excited about the crop. Up to 30 harvesters, including men, women and children were used to strip the vines.

Apparently you can chat to whoever is working the other side of the vine and this is where the expression "heard it through the grapevine" comes from. Not many Marvin Gaye fans new that I bet.

English wine is undoubtedly getting better and better due to climate change. It was estimated that the harvest produced around two tonnes of grapes which should convert to 3,000 bottles of wine. Unfortunately the wine will not be available until next summer.