English wine producer Chapel Down has reported a record harvest, courtesy of the prolonged and warm summer.

“It’s a heartening harvest,” said Frazer Thompson, chief executive of the Kent-based sparkling winemaker. Both the yield and quality of grapes were as good as hoped and should allow increased production, he said. “After two lean years, it’s good to have the tanks full.”

Although the growing season was set back a couple of weeks by cold spring weather, Chapel Down’s output was more than double last year’s. “There’s no doubt about it, this is a good year,” said Julia Trustram Eve, marketing director of English Wine Producers.

Despite the industry’s recent growth – vineyards cover almost twice as much acreage as in 2005 – last year’s miserable weather is a reminder of its vulnerability to the northerly and changeable climate.