Early signs are positive for the 2025 growing season at Gloucestershire's Three Choirs Vineyards.  2024 was a very difficult year for the English wine industry. The combination of warm temperatures combined with lots of rain and a dramatic drop in sunlight hours for such a prolonged period created a real challenge to keep the grapes on the vine through to the harvesting stage.

Conversely, this year there are plenty of reasons to be positive, according to winemaker Martin Fowke, “This winter has been better than last year.  We have had some frosts which help to keep the vines dormant and kill off overwintering disease.  The buds are starting to swell now, and depending on the weather I would expect budburst to happen in the next couple of weeks”.

“The plantings that we made three years ago will be coming into production this year – more Chardonnay and Phoenix, and we may get a small crop off one of the new red varieties – Divico - which we have planted because of its sustainability qualities”.  Divico is a relatively new grape variety attracting attention amongst UK growers looking for a grape that will produce a full-bodied red wine, reminiscent of a Pinot Noir, but with better disease resistance.

For wine afficionados English Wine Week (21st – 29th June) is the perfect time to visit Three Choirs Vineyards.   With the vines coming into flower in late June, it's the perfect opportunity to take a stroll through the 75 acre vineyard before enjoying a cold glass of Bacchus or Rose on the terrace, or a delicious lunch in the on-site Brasserie.   Daily wine tasting tours will be available with one of the winemakers (£48 pp including a charcuterie or cheese board).  

Guests staying in the Vineyard View Rooms or one of the stunning cedar lodges that week will receive a free 'Guided Winery Tour & Tasting ' on either Wednesday 25th, Thursday 26th or Friday 27th (normally worth £76 per couple).

For more information and bookings visit www.three-choirs-vineyards.co.uk

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For media information contact Rachel Corcoran @ Lily Pad PR rachel.corcoran@lilypadpr.co.uk 07791 110910