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Vineyard 'adapting' to changing weather conditions

Shaun Whitmore/BBC A close up picture of red grapes on a vine. Stems and leaves can be seen behind the grapes on the vine.Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Shawsgate Vineyard said planning ahead was key to tackling changes in the weather

A Suffolk vineyard has spoken of the challenges of changing weather patterns, saying it had to adapt when facing wetter weather.

Shawsgate Vineyard, near Framlingham, has been making wine on its site since 1973.

At the end of last year Storm Babet hit the UK with Framlingham experiencing severe flooding, while this September was recorded as one of the wettest on record in some parts of the country.

Manager Rob Capp said the weather conditions could alter production, but planning ahead was important.

Shaun Whitmore/BBC A picture of Robb Capp. He is facing the camera and smiling. He is wearing a blue overall on top of a blue shirt. He is bald. He is standing in front of large vats and other machinery at the vineyard.Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Shawsgate Vineyard manager Rob Capp said the team always did the best they could in the conditions

"Having that number of varieties and having some older vines allows us to mix and match and make the best of each year," he explained.

"We haven't got all our eggs in one basket and that's quite important."

This summer was Earth's warmest on record, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

However, this causes more extreme rain, which was seen in the East of England at various points this year, including in July when some areas saw a month's worth in just a few days.

Asked if the changing weather was affecting the wines it made, Mr Capp said it gave "a good steer".

"We know what's possible and what isn't possible," he explained.

"We'll try and intervene with the fruit each year. Our whole approach is minimal intervention here, but we'll try and do extra processes.

"It's all about making the best of each year's crop and doing the best you can."

Speaking about the battles with the weather in the past year, Mr Capp added: "It was a challenging growing season in the early part.

"It made up for it in the early autumn, so I think by and large it will be quite a good vintage."

Shaun Whitmore/BBC A picture of a vineyard. It shows a long vine of grapes with the orange, red and yellow leaves. A track can be seen running up the middle separating the line from another vine.Shaun Whitmore/BBC
The Suffolk site has some of England's oldest vineyards still in production

Les Garrett, the vineyard's owner, said a low-yield year could feel worse if it had an exceptionally high yield the year before, but it often averaged out.

"Each year is going to be different," he said.

"I look at the horizon - there is global warming, but we can't plan for that at a drop of a hat.

"So we're doing things like selecting new varieties that are both earlier and more disease resistant. Having an earlier harvest means we're not so worried about the hotter times. We're adapting."

Shaun Whitmore/BBC A picture of Les Garrett. He is standing in his vineyard and smiling at the camera. He has short grey hair and is wearing a blue and grey chequered coat on top of a blue shirt. Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Les Garrett said he remained positive despite changes in the climate

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