Conditions for Excellence

The summer of 2018 was one of the hottest on record in the UK at the time, creating memorable conditions both on the water and in the vineyards. At Henley, the fast conditions contributed to a week of exceptional racing, with 11 records broken out of the 23 events contested. Among the highlights was The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup final between St Paul’s School and Eton College. As the crews prepared at the start, commentator Sarah Cook described the St Paul’s eight as potentially “the fastest schoolboy eight of all time”. They went on to claim victory in a historic race, setting new records up the course with a finish time of 6:06, breaking the previous fastest time by 11 seconds. Their record still stands today.

For Nyetimber, the same remarkable summer brought favourable growing conditions, with minimal frost and low disease pressure. Harvest began on 19 September, with the majority of the grapes picked between 26 September and 9 October. Both the quality and quantity of the fruit were exceptional, resulting in yields of 9.6 tonnes per hectare. The scale of the harvest marked another important moment for Nyetimber: 2018 was the first year they produced more than one million bottles, becoming the first single-estate English producer to reach that milestone.

A Year of Firsts

The 2018 Regatta also marked an important step forward for women's rowing, with three new events introduced: The Stonor Challenge Trophy, The Hambleden Pairs Challenge Cup and The Town Challenge Cup. Their introduction reflected the continued development of women's competition at Henley and was celebrated at the Friday prizegiving, when the new trophies were presented for the first time by Prizegiver Baroness Grainger, DBE.

The inaugural finals produced performances that would stand the test of time. C. R. L. Hodgkins-Byrne and A. Thornton, representing the University of London and Nottingham Rowing Club, set course records at Fawley and The Barrier in The Town Challenge Cup that still stand today.

The outstanding achievements continued as New Zealand sculler Mahé Drysdale won The Diamond Challenge Sculls for the sixth time, equalling Stuart Mackenzie's record for victories in the event held since 1962.

That spirit of progress and achievement was reflected in the world of English wine. In 2018, Nyetimber's Head Winemaker, Cherie Spriggs, was named Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge. She was the first person from outside of Champagne to receive the award. In 2025, she won it for a second time, remaining the only woman to have ever done so.

The Patience Behind a Vintage

Exceptional conditions can create opportunity, but realising their full potential takes time.

At Henley, a few minutes of racing represent years of training, preparation and dedication. In the vineyard, a successful harvest marks the beginning of a different kind of journey. For Nyetimber, the exceptional fruit of 2018 provided the foundation for all four of its vintage wines that undergo extended lees ageing.

The first to be released is Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2018, made from 100% Chardonnay and aged on its lees for more than six years before release. Its arrival offers a chance to appreciate the character of a vintage whose significance extends well beyond the harvest itself.

Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2018

Blanc de Blancs 2018 brings together Chardonnay from four sites across Hampshire and West Sussex. Of the blend, 53% comes from two Hampshire sites on chalk soils, with the remaining 47% sourced from two West Sussex sites on greensand.

The result is a wine that combines the generosity of the warm 2018 vintage with the elegance and delicacy for which Nyetimber is known. Aromas of fresh nectarine, pink grapefruit and orange blossom give way to notes of nougat and toasted hazelnut. On the palate, warm citrus and stone fruits are complemented by flavours of freshly baked pastry and vanilla, leading to a focused, elegant and complex finish.

An Exceptional Year, Remembered

Years after those remarkable summer days, 2018 is returning to the spotlight. Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2018 offers an opportunity to experience the exceptional character of a year that left its mark both on the river and in the vineyards of England.