2021 was a challenging year. One that makes you consider how sensible it is to grow grapes in this country. The summer was cool and wet, which meant disease pressure was always high. Downy mildew regularly showing itself in both the Knightor vineyards. Not only this but the ripening period September through to October was also relatively cool and again saw periods of prolonged rain. The fruit was average at best, with low sugar levels across the board and very light, delicate flavours. 2020 was a low yield but very high quality, 2021 was low yield and down there with the poorest years of recent, easily comparable to the wash out that was the 2013 harvest.
From a wine making perspective, after a couple of harvests of low yields we would quite happily settle for a decent crop in 2022.
