Thanks as ever to the wonderful team at Transworld who have helped put the fizz into A Vintage Summer (see what I did there): Francesca Best, Molly Crawford, Julia Teece, Sophie Bruce and Hannah Bright.

My interest in vineyards began ten years ago on an unforgettable holiday at Chateau Bauduc near Bordeaux with my friends Lucy Nicholson and Linda Lawler. So thank you, ladies, for planting that initial seed which took ten years to mature!

Once I’d got my story premise, I needed to research the English wine industry and three vineyards in particular have been extremely helpful. Special thanks to Helenka Brown at Hanwell Wines, who gave up a lot of her time to answer my questions and let me join in with the 2017 harvest! Thank you to Helenka’s parents, Tony and Veronica Skuriat, owners of Eglantine Vineyard, who showed me their winery and gave me lots of useful details about tending vines. A big thank you to Ben Hunt at Halfpenny Green Wine Estate who let me into his lab and taught me lots of technical stuff to do with making sparkling wine. Any errors are all mine!

Thank you to two ladies who helped with my questions about pregnancy: Issy Bourton and Hannah Barker. Apologies for the weird questions and for making Hannah over-share. While we’re on health matters, thank you to my lovely Nanna for helping me with Betsy’s story and her struggle with macular degeneration. Also thank you to Lisa Ward for her in-depth knowledge of ambulances!

Last year I set up a Facebook group called Cathy Bramley’s Book Club. This warm-hearted and friendly community has helped me enormously, not only by helping me with details such as character names, but by encouraging me with their kind messages and glowing reviews. Thank you so much, dear members, it is lovely to have your support.

To the Literary Hooters: what wonderful friends you are, I am lucky to have you and cherish our little club dearly. Thank you for your love, wisdom and ability to make me laugh through everything.

Lastly, to Tony, Phoebe and Isabel, my thanks and love always.

Cathy xxx

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