It’s been a hectic month and although we’ve just gone back into lockdown in France today, this is no time to think about putting our feet up. We’ve got so much to do before the end of the year (no really).

This afternoon we brought in the last of the Cabernet Sauvignon (with Pavie above, just now) under a clear autumn sky. The same is true for many across Bordeaux as pickers and harvest machines were still out there, mostly bringing in the later ripening Cabernets too. Rain is forecast from tomorrow, giving us all a gentle nudge.

After the surge in home deliveries, it’s all go now for summer holidays. On that note, we’ve got a week free in our fabulous farmhouse, above, from Friday week – a little short notice, granted, but it’s a lovely spot for a change of scene. In September too, there’s a fortnight available during the Bordeaux harvest.

Another crazy month.

We are, though, extremely lucky to produce stuff from vines that we grow in conveniently distanced rows in wide open spaces, and for that stuff, thanks to a formidable team effort, to be enjoyed by people at home.

If March was mad, April has been bonkers. We may be in lockdown but we’ve never been busier, and the vines aren’t holding back either.

We were going to call this ‘a message from our CEO’ but we couldn’t agree which one of us is the boss. (‘You!’ ‘No you!’ might suggest that neither of us should apply.)

Two for the price of one this month. No, not the wine, but newsletters. Last month, we sent out a long fable of our white harvest, with copious pictures. So it’s only fair that we report back on our red, and that’s included with images below.