If there is one thing 2020 taught viticulturists and wine makers in the UK, it is the importance of building resilience into the vineyard, writes Ben Brown, Agrii. 

Vineyards can have a very positive influence on the environment as the crop is off the ground allowing the land under to become a biodiverse ecosystem. Vineyard finds out how cover cropping can help biodiversity, support carbon capture, improve soil health, assist drainage, suppress weeds and become little havens of wildlife. 

The term effluent can quickly take the romance and glamour out of winemaking.  

Business has taken time to reflect and reassess.

Marco Simonit grew up in his grandparents vineyard in Italy and many years later, after his studies, he observed that modern pruning methods were resulting in vine loses. Vineyard speaks to the pruning Master, Marco Simonit of Simonit&Sirch, to discover his philosophy of pruning that respects the vines natural growth habit to improve its health and productivity.

They are British, their reputation is racing ahead, and they are green – they are the wines of England and Wales!

There is an expression – ‘the cobbler’s children are the worst shod’ – so when a team of expert viticulturists plant their own vineyard, expectations are high. Vineyard visits Bee Tree Vineyard in Sussex to find out how a small vineyard is leading on sustainability, research and vintage-led wines. 

Working with the GLAA at harvest 2020.

• www.vine-works.com  • sales@vine-works.com  • 01273 891777

This year’s harvest looks to be an even more challenging affair than normal with the added complications of Covid-19 and the risks to workers. For most vineyards this is the time of highest demand for staff and a large proportion of pickers will be seasonal workers supplied via viticultural contractors like Vine Works. Growers clearly need to know that the staff they are supplied with are reliable, hardworking, healthy and have the right to work in the UK, so sourcing should always be via a GLAA licensed provider.

Michael Huskins owns and manages Dalwood Vineyard in Devon as part of a co-operative. He talks to Vineyard Magazine about learning on the job and working with your friends.

The wet weather failed to dampen sprits at the UK’s second annual vine pruning competition, which was held on 28 February 2020 at Tinwood Estate in Halnaker, West Sussex.