Yorkshire Winemakers Expecting Good Crop

It's harvest time for the vineyards of Yorkshire, and expectations are high for a bumper crop.

A sunny June followed by a wet July and a relatively dry August means that the grapes have had near perfect conditions to maximise yield.

There are over 400 vineyards in the UK, and over 100 wineries. Global warming has steadily nudged north the optimum climate conditions for wine-making, and there are now four Yorkshire vineyards registered with the English Wine Producers' Association. While some English south coast wines are even competing with the best in the world, the north is not too far behind.

At Holmfirth Vineyards, situated on the side of the Holme Valley, high above the "Last of the Summer Wine" town, owners Ian and Rebecca Sheveling planted 7,000 vines in 2008, and hope to harvest their first crop this time next year, eventually achieving a 30,000 bottles a year yield. Their story was captured in an episode of Channel 5's 'Build a New Life in the Country' series, which aired earlier this year.

Meanwhile over at Westow, near York, Ryedale Vineyards have just harvested for the second time. The most northerly UK vineyard in production, Ryedale have already won awards for the quality of their wines, despite a small crop in 2008 enabling just 400 bottles of white and rosé to be produced. Owner Stuart Smith reportedly hopes to produce up to 3000 bottles this year, increasing to 20,000 in 2010.

Leventhorpe Vineyards of Woodlesford, near Leeds, are the longest established of the Yorkshire vineyards and is one of Rick Stein's food heroes. George Bowden established the vineyard in 1985, and has gained much recognition for his slightly off-dry Seyval and Madeleine Angevine whites, and his sparkling whites.

Leventhorpe have achieved the 'Yorkshire Regional Wine' quality status, as adminstered by the UK Vineyards Association. Leventhorpe wines are available to purchase online here.

Finally the Summerhouse Vineyard, at Skellow near Doncaster, had its first harvest in 2008, producing a Seyval Blanc and Rondo red this summer. They will be harvesting Pinot Noir and Madeleine Angevine for the first time this year, and hope to be producing sparkling white and rosé wines for summer 2010.

Its clear that as the climatic characteristics of the UK are becoming more suited to wine-producing,  things can only get better for Yorkshire wine-makers.