Things are not going to plan. The ripening of the grapes is way behind where we should be for this time of year and the forecast is not, decidedly, for a warm month ahead. The WineGB online forum pings with emails from wine producers sharing titbits without revealing their underlying anxiety, some trying to buy grapes at the last minute, others even trying to sell excess.
Read MoreWe had 100 guests to the vineyard tasting room (our barn) for the launch of Christopher’s book about the creation and nurture of the vineyard here at Winding Wood. We built a impromptu stage out of grape picking crates and adorned with a burgundy oak barrel akin to the ones we use to ferment our wine.
Read MoreWe actually managed to eat alfresco during August on several occasions with friends who live in Mallorca. They love England in August as Mallorca is blooming hot and full of tourists.
Read MoreWe had enjoyed a great lunch at Drapers Hall with the great and the good from the English wine industry. Oz Clarke, Susie Barrie and Peter Richards compered the event as co-chairmen with flair. Surprised but delighted to carry off the WineGB 2024 Awards sparkling rosé trophy against stiff opposition.
Read MoreIf the weather in June was not a patch on that of last year, with concomitant impacts on the flowering process, the beginning of July is not much better. Flowering needs to go straight through with plenty of sunshine and no wind – this just is not happening. Instead we have warm days followed by wet, cold ones.
Read MoreThe weather finally improves towards the end of the month with 2 weeks of sunshine. Temperatures reach 30 degrees on some days. Finally, we have flowering. Relief.
Read MoreI thought it about time I introduced readers to my four-legged vineyard partner. He goes by the name of Ludo. As you can see from the photograph, he is a working cocker and he likes to have something in his mouth – most of the time.
Read MoreThis is the month of bud burst when things are at their most vulnerable to the potential ravages of overnight spring frost. The month has been cold and wet which has slowed nature down – for which I have been grateful.
Read MoreI had no idea that sheep have long memories… and hold grudges. So, it seems. I thought it was just elephants. The grandchildren of the sheep we evicted from our fields 11 years ago in order to plant a vineyard have sought revenge by attacking many of the freshly cut vine spurs.
Read MoreI am in Olso, Norway on pleasure but I cannot resist checking out the government liquor store in the centre of town. The sale of wine and spirits in Scandinavia is strictly controlled by the government and has been for 100 years. No guesses why. Vinmonopolet is the operation in Norway.
Read MoreIt has been blowing a hooley for the last few days together with driving rain. I have dressed up like a spaceman to face the elements to start the long process of winter pruning.
Read MoreAnother month of light duties. As I walk Ludo in the morning, I wander down several vine rows, thinking about how I might tackle pruning a few tricky fellas. Some have unproductive limbs that will need surgery — with due care that the ensuing dieback from the wound does not spread into the healthy centre of the crown. Better small cuts each year rather than one large on.
Read MoreThis is the time of year, after months of slog, to put one’s feet up and do nothing in the vineyard — or at least next to nothing. There is one final biodynamic spray to do: horn manure (BD500) plus a compost mix, all for soil improvement. I pick a day when there is no frost on the ground as this is very important.
Read MoreThere were shredded nerves in the run-up to harvest this year — plus ca change. Life in the vineyard would not be the same without the regular existential crisis. We actually began to wonder in late September whether the grapes would even reach the required sugar levels before the autumn closed in.
Read MoreIn a bid to give the vines resistance to mildew, we use plants with medicinal properties out of which we make ‘teas’ for spraying during the rainy July.
Read MoreOne of the highlights during June was a visit to Offbeat Winery in Downton, just outside Salisbury, to meet up with Daniel and Nicola (and Jarvis the cocker spaniel), our winemakers, in order to sample the 2022 wines prior to bottling (tirage).
Read MoreIt has been a while since the last vineyard missive — naughty me, once again – during which time we have successfully survived spring without mishap from overnight frost.
Read MoreOut trusty Romanians are here seen tying the vines with strict instruction on what to tie to the fruiting wire and what to leave until after the danger of frost passes.
Read MoreWinter pruning commences. A grueling month of removing last year’s canopy, selecting this year’s fruiting cane and spur (next year’s cane).
Read MoreThis is the month where the vineyard rests but there is plenty of work to be done in the winery plus lots of planning for the coming season.
Read More
