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Spring Awakening in the Vineyard
In your spring Vineyard Partner magazine, we explained the exciting progress in the Windsor vineyard and the improving health of its soil. What a joy it’s been to see the earth teeming with worms and a rich green sward thriving between the rows of vines — a clear sign of vibrant, living soil. This progress brings us to the vintage at the heart of the latest release: Windsor Great Park Release No.8, mostly crafted from grapes grown in 2020. That year was anything but ordinary — marked by the covid-19 pandemic and the first national lockdown. Yet, vineyards were classified as essential work, allowing the team to carry on outdoors. John Ryan, fresh out of Plumpton University, led the vineyard efforts with quiet determination.
2020: Sunshine, Silence and Sleepless Nights
While 2020 will be remembered globally for the pandemic, those in the vineyard recall a spring of extraordinary sunshine — more hours of sun than the average English summer. It made for ideal working conditions, strangely peaceful with no planes overhead and cherry blossoms in full bloom. Thanks to that warmth, vine leaves emerged on 3rd April — the earliest ever recorded in Windsor. The vineyard’s gentle slope plays a key role in temperature shifts, with frost naturally flowing down toward the water at the bottom, helping to shield the vines. Still, precautions were taken. Bougies — large 6-litre candles — were set out early in March, and they proved essential. Between 17th April and 15th May, the team faced 17 frost alerts, meaning many long, sleepless nights. Despite the threats, damage was surprisingly limited compared to other estates — some of which lost their entire crop. Windsor, by contrast, fared well, and those sun-drenched, carefully protected grapes now live on in the bottle.
Vineyard Work and Wildlife Strategies
Bud rubbing took place in early June — a key step where unwanted young shoots are removed from the main trunk, allowing the plant’s energy to concentrate on the main branches. Flowering followed in fine weather, finishing on 22nd June — largely successful, though some strong winds posed challenges. By mid-July, leaf stripping was underway to expose the grape bunches to maximum sunshine, helping them ripen fully. After the considerable grape losses in 2019 caused by hungry parakeets roosting in the vineyard’s oak trees, preventative steps were taken. Netting was placed over the 20 rows closest to the trees — a simple but effective solution. As it turns out, the parakeets didn’t bother venturing further, and the grapes were spared.
Harvest, Blend, and Tasting Notes
Harvest began on 26th September for the Pinot Noir and Meunier — the earliest ever for both — with Chardonnay picked from 3rd October. The quality was excellent, though the volume was reduced by the earlier frosts. The 2020 vintage blend is made up of 64% Chardonnay, 24% Pinot Noir, and 12% Meunier. Of that, 39% is reserve wine drawn from the 2017, 2018, and 2019 vintages. Combined with the maturity of the vines (9 years old in 2020), this has produced a wine of remarkable depth and intensity. Pale gold in colour, the wine opens with aromas of fresh peach, cooked apple, hawthorn, and vibrant citrus, with subtle toasty biscuit notes. On the palate, it’s creamy and layered — think apricot, juicy peach, and apple, lifted by lemony freshness and brioche-style hints. Disgorged in December 2024, this wine will continue to evolve beautifully. Enjoy a bottle this summer, then revisit it in the cooler months or next spring — you’ll be amazed by how much it changes.
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