September 22, 2026 — Award-winning Herefordshire vineyard Two Beacons Vineyard has reported a record harvest by volume, as pickers continue to harvest by hand this week. This year’s hot season and earlier heatwaves have contributed to these very high volumes, the highest since the vineyard was established in 2018, exceeding the previous record set in 2023.
Co-founder Ceri Phipps said; “While this harvest is a week or so later than last year due to the summer heatwaves, it is still earlier than usual and the heat and dryness contributed to lack of wasps, fruit flies and botrytis and as a result we’ve seen an exceptional yield.”
Co-founder Tim Dutton said; “I’m expecting outstanding sparkling wines and very good still wines – our Pinot Noir Précoce crop was so big we had to do a record amount of green harvesting to ensure the remaining fruit reached full ripeness, and so the crop has been incredible.”
Two Beacons Vineyard will also shortly release its first ever Blanc de Noir, made with 100% pinot noir from the 2023 vintage. Tim Dutton said; “This is a pure, clean and focussed Blanc de Noirs with complexity of red fruit, citrus and some enticing spice and autolytic characters, with real breadth on the palate. A smart, classy wine.”
The family-owned vineyard attracted international attention at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 winning three silver medals for its 2024 Pinot Noir Précoce, 2024 Bacchus and 2022 Late Release Sparkling Rosé Pinot Noir.
To find out more about Two Beacons Vineyard, visit twobeaconsvineyard.com.
