Heatwaves and drought lead to early grape harvest

While farmers across the south of England count the cost of the hot, dry summer, some growers say they have benefited from the heatwave.

Vineyards are reporting their earliest harvest on record, with the intense summer sun producing grapes that are much higher in sugar.

Simon Priestman, of Little Waddon Vineyard near Weymouth, Dorset, said his vines had "done extremely well" and anticipated an "incredibly amazing tasting wine this vintage".

Paul Girling, of Setley Ridge Vineyard in Brockenhurst, Hampshire, says his team is on track for an early end to harvest, having begun weeks earlier than usual.

Priestman, who co-owns the vineyard with his wife, Karen, said their vines had not been adversely affected by the heat.

He said: "We don't water them, we don't irrigate them.

"The grass all around has died down to brown but they are green and the grapes have done extremely well out of it.

"All of this heat and sun has put massive amount of sugars into the grapes so we are looking at very high sugar levels."

Priestman said extreme weather meant growing grapes was "a proper rollercoaster".

"I think it rained every single day of January. You can't predict what's going to happen," he said.

"One particular year, we lost 95% of the crop because of the mildew."

Girling and his wife, Hayley, bought Setley Ridge vineyard and farm shop 27 years ago.

He said: "We never started picking before the beginning of October, now we are usually finished by the end of September.

"We could have possibly started in August but 1 September has beaten our record by at least two weeks."

Despite the exceptional year, Girling says he and other small businesses are facing "relentless" pressure.

He said: "This year we've had additional tax placed on us to do with glass."

The Extended Producer Responsibility scheme requires businesses to pay towards the cost of recycling packaging used in their products, based on weight.

Girling said: "All of our glass bottles increased by 20%. Sometimes it feels like you are being taxed out of existence.

"It's just another cost we are going to have to swallow."

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it was working with industry "to address pressures and make sure the scheme works well".

A spokesperson said: "These are important reforms to help our environment, already providing about £1.4bn of investment to improve our recycling system and make sure producers contribute towards the cost of managing packaging waste."