First Harvest at The Manydown Rural Estate vineyard

This autumn marks a milestone for The Manydown Rural Estate as we celebrate our first harvest from the 17.5 hectare vineyard established in partnership with Hambledon Wine Estate. After four years of careful cultivation, the vines are finally ready to yield their inaugural crop of grapes.

The perfect soil

The vineyard at Manydown benefits from exceptional geological conditions that mirror some of the world's finest wine regions like the renowned Côte des Blancs region in Champagne, France.

The chalky soils provide excellent drainage while retaining just enough moisture to support healthy vine development, creating ideal conditions for the three premium grape varieties planted on the Estate: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.

Hambledon’s Vineyard Manager Nick Cran-Crombie explains, "Manydown is on the same chalk seam that runs up through the South Downs and Hampshire. So, it's got a similar profile to the soils that we have around Hambledon, which grow varieties best suited for sparkling wines."

Establishing roots

The Manydown Rural Estate embraces a philosophy with agriculture and viticulture that prioritises soil health. Nick says this fits well with the ethos at Hambledon: "Our whole team mission statement now is around soil health." This represents a significant shift from traditional methods that relied on high inputs and intensive cultivation.

Nick says the benefits of healthy soil are remarkable. Where conventional bare-earth viticulture might see vine roots penetrating just 25 centimetres, plants that have been under greenery or in with other plants, can establish roots as deep as a metre and a half. This greater root system creates more resilient vines that can better withstand environmental stresses while producing superior fruit.

Like the Estate’s farming partners, EC Drummond Ltd, Hambledon are embracing precision technology. The team recently carried out drone surveys at the vineyard and regularly test the soil to ensure the vines are thriving.

A changing climate

Hampshire's unique microclimate presents both challenges and opportunities for grape growing. Nick explains "Manydown is a bit slower to warm up through the spring, but then once it does warm up, it's actually a very warm site, which bodes well for the fruit."

After the warmest summer on record in the UK, the 2025 growing season has proven particularly favourable, with significantly more growing degree days (GGDs) than the previous year – a key metric that measures optimal growing conditions. The sunshine has created excellent conditions for ripening, promising high-quality fruit for this first harvest.

From vine to glass

The winemaking process for sparkling wine is a testament to patience and precision. The first grapes harvested from the Estate this autumn will begin a journey that spans several years.

After pressing, the juice will undergo primary fermentation before being bottled next summer, where it will spend a minimum of 24 months aging on the lees – the spent yeast cells that contribute complexity and character to the final sparkling wine.

"Depending on what the wine is, it's a minimum of 24 months really," Nick explains, "The grapes from this harvest will be bottled next year and then left to age, so you will be able to enjoy a glass of that sparkling wine in late 2028/29."

Looking forward

While this first harvest is expected to represent just 20% of the vineyard's eventual yield, Nick says the protected position and favourable growing conditions at the Estate mean it looks “exceptionally promising."

David Neal-Smith, Director at The Manydown Rural Estate said: "We’re pleased to have partnered with Hambledon on this vineyard project and are excited to experience the first harvest. This is another example of how we are creating a diversified and resilient rural business, whilst considering the best use of the land we have.”