A sparkling wine maker is getting ready for its earliest grape collection ever following the country’s sunniest July since records began.

Nyetimber anticipates commencing harvest in mid-September after a scorching British summer, several weeks earlier than its normal timeframe.

Recent heatwaves have amplified worries about climate change’s growing effects, with specialists cautioning that warmer summers and increasingly common weather abnormalities are growing probabilities across Britain.

While spring frosts damaged approximately 30 percent of the firm’s vineyards during May, the sustained warmth over subsequent weeks has pushed grapes to peak ripeness considerably sooner than typically observed.

Cherie Spriggs, the chief winemaker at Nyetimber, expressed optimism about what this year’s harvest might deliver.

She noted that despite difficulties frosts and drought have created for vineyard staff, the lengthy, warm summer has simultaneously offered outstanding cultivation conditions for sparkling wines.

The team is hoping favourable weather continues through the remaining weeks before harvest so this year’s vintage can achieve its maximum potential.

The premature harvest is set to produce another vintage year, meaning wines will be crafted solely from 2026-grown grapes, a method reserved for years of exceptional quality.

Eric Heerema, chief executive and proprietor of Nyetimber, acknowledged his team’s dedication.

He explained that vineyard workers have needed to be highly proactive and adaptable throughout the 2026 growing season.

It represents another unprecedented year, where the company’s dedication to entirely estate-owned vineyards enables them to customise their methods for optimum quality.

At this point, it appears all the hard work has yielded results and the winery will be capable of producing some excellent quality wines as a consequence.

He expressed anticipation for harvest commencement and for sampling wines from this vintage in future years.

Nyetimber manages 11 vineyards spanning West Sussex, Hampshire, and Kent, occupying 430 hectares and solely growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier varieties.

Its Blanc de Blancs 2016 Magnum received the Champion Sparkling Wine title at the International Wine Challenge 2025, the inaugural occasion this honour has been awarded outside the Champagne region.