The vines aren't stopping for anyone (or thing)
It goes without saying that March has been an extraordinary month, and not in a positive way. However, the show must go on, as they say, and certainly where the vineyard is concerned there is still work to be done. Following the task of pruning earlier in the month, we are now tying down our two chosen canes for the year to the fruiting wire. These canes have been specifically selected during pruning as they are the strongest and most beneficial for the year ahead. When tying to the wire you need to make sure the canes are nice and malleable and the shoots extend as vertically as possible from the trunk base. We’ve had some beautifully sunny warm weather when we’ve been able to crack on with this job. Normally, there would be a group of volunteers supporting Jonathan in the vineyard, but at the moment, it is a one-person job.
As well as the tying down, Emma, who also works on the estate, has been rotavating the lanes. This turns and aerates the soil as well as ridding the ground of weeds as they start to appear with the warming ground.
Back in the office, we are still selling our Bacchus 2018 and preparing for the release of our forthcoming 2019 wines and 2018 sparkling wines. At the tasting sessions so far they have really got us excited for their launch. The wines are being looked after by our winemaking partners, Halfpenny Green in the Midlands. All are available to pre-order by the case so you can be the first to taste them when they’re ready.
We hope it won’t be long before we can raise a toast to our second harvest wines.