Mixed weather leads to bumper Shropshire wine crop

The Shropshire vineyard offers tours and tastings for visitors

Unpredictable weather has led to a bumper harvest, a family-run vineyard on the English-Welsh border says.

Volunteers helping at Kerry Vale Vineyard in Pentreheyling, Shropshire, are expected to pick two tonnes more grapes than usual.

A combination of sun and rain year-round has led to exceptional growing conditions, workers said.

"We've got a bumper crop, so we're really happy," added marketing manager Nadine Roach.

Marketing, events and PR manager Nadine Roach said her parents originally planted the vineyard

Husband and wife team Russell and Jan Cooke bought the vineyard in 2020 from a family who founded it 10 years earlier.

With about 8.5 miles (13.7km) of vines, on a good year it produces about 24,000 bottles of wine.

Owners will not know the exact yield for this year until the final variety of grapes is picked next week.

Volunteer Urmila Griffith said she loved the sociable atmosphere among those who helped pick grapes

Volunteer grape-pickers rewarded with wine and lunch said they loved the job.

"We just love the friendliness, being fed. You get a bottle of wine at the end of the day as your reward - what more?" said Urmila Griffith.

This year helpers could end up picking a total of six tonnes, which would make for one of the best harvests of the past few years.

Many volunteers have been helping with the harvest for years

As owner's daughter Abbie Cooke picked grapes with her three-week-old daughter in a sling, she said she "applauded" volunteers who returned year after year.

"I appreciate everyone coming out and doing it. It's just something different to do isn't it, to be out in the fresh air?," she said.