BENTLEY’S Jenkyn Place winery, which was first planted in 2004, has expanded its vineyard acreage from 12 to 14 acres with a team of Romanian vineyard helpers.

“They are a great crew,” said the vineyard’s owner Simon Bladon. “They are like swallows, flying in as if by magic in the spring to plant our Pinot Noir vines; and then returning again in the autumn to harvest our Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir.

“They are such a friendly presence, and we really appreciate their work ethic and cheerfulness. We had the biggest harvest ever this year, and their help has been very special.”

In 2018, Romanians made up the biggest number of new arrivals into the UK, with 411,000 now living in the UK as against 42,000 in 2008.

Romania has overtaken the Republic of Ireland and India to move from fourth to second most common non-British nationality in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

“It will be three years before the new Pinot Noir vines are in full production, adding to the vineyard’s existing 12 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir – and it will be a joy to welcome them back again next year for pruning and harvesting.

“Our vines were first planted on this former hop farm in 2004, and the new acreage will take the vineyard’s potential yield from 35,000 to 40,000 bottles a year.”

Jenkyn Place makes only sparkling wines: a Jenkyn Place Brut blend of all three grapes; a Blanc de Noirs made from gently squashing the two red grapes – Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – so that the resultant juice is still clear; and a new Jenkyn Place Rosé made from a blend Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Jenkyn Place Brut is available from Waitrose Cellar, direct from jenkynplace.com, or locally through Hawkins Bros in Milford – hawkinsbros.co.uk – or Country Market in Bordon.