Summerhouse Vineyard

Wines are said to have been first introduced into England by the Romans. More certain is that at the time of the Norman Conquest, vines were grown, and wine produced by monasteries. At the height of wine production with the majority of vineyards were in the south of England and it is thought that there were as many as 139 vineyards in England and Wales.

So how is it that we can successfully grow vines and produced quality wine this far north in Yorkshire? This is a combination of the siting of the vineyard on a south facing sheltered slope with the planting of hybrid wines bred to suit an English climate. The main threat to vines production in this country is not cold but water logging and late frosts. Sheltered Summerhouse vineyard is on a well drained site. The Pinot noir has had a slight browning of the leaf but it has not affected grape production.

A year at Summerhouse Vineyard

Late autumn early winter – Once the harvest is over the vines are left to hibernate.

Late winter and early spring – The vines are still in hibernation but we are busy pruning, this all has to be finished before the first buds appear.

Late spring and early summer – Buds burst as the vines spring back to life in April and May and the first flowers appear and we see the start of this years cycle of grape production.

High summer – This is the time when the vineyard most resembles a French vineyard. Summer sun and gentle rain encourage growth and fill out the grapes.

Late summer early autumn – This is grape ripening time, when the grapes fill out, soften and change colour. This is our busiest time of year as we harvest the grapes in October. The red grapes are harvested first around the second week of October followed by the white, one or two weeks later.

We have a mixture of volunteer pickers from among family and friends and some paid pickers to get the tons of grapes picked and to the wine maker within 24 hours. This year we hope to have wine course students from Rotherham college.

When is the best time to visit Summerhouse vineyard? Any time from late spring to autumn. For more on tours and tastings click here.

We also have a series tours and tasting planned.