Severe frost threatens English vineyards

Winemakers across England are facing repeated severe spring frosts that have damaged young buds during a critical stage, raising fresh concerns over the 2026 harvest and adding further pressure to already rising production costs.

At Black Chalk in Hampshire, winemakers report significant financial and operational strain, with frost protection spending already far above budget and staff working overnight shifts using fog machines and frost guards.

Oastbrook Estate in East Sussex has also experienced patchy frost damage, with some vineyard areas hit hard while others near woodland remain largely unaffected. Meanwhile, growers continue deploying heaters, braziers and protective systems in an effort to limit losses as the season unfolds.

Squerryes in Kent suffered its most severe frost since 2017, though some producers remain hopeful that secondary shoots will recover yields, while others with advanced systems have so far protected vines successfully during the cold spell across key English wine regions this year.