The importance of a sound trellising system, writes Tom Reid at Vine-Works.

Seduced by romantic Swiss vineyards Gail Gardner persuaded her family to plant vines, but her business acumen and multi-stream income model has led her beyond wine production to create an exceptional visitor destination and swish corporate facility at Ashling Park Estate. Vineyard finds out the journey from tranquil meadows to ‘hives’ of activity.

Many of the most successful vineyards in the UK have something in common – they have been planned, planted and managed by John Buchan, a Viticultural Agronomist with 20 years’ experience.  Vineyard speaks to John to find out how he brings his ‘Midas touch’ to vines.

Planting season is approaching and getting young vines off to a good start is important for a future healthy and productive vineyard. The benefits of good mycorrhizal fungi associations with vine roots to support nutrient and water uptake are well known. Vineyard asks if inoculating with a root dip at planting helps early growth.

Vine importing in post-Brexit Britain.

It lurks in the shadows, invisible, biding its time until conditions are right – then pounces – infecting berries and causing bunch rot.  Vineyard finds out why understanding Botrytis cinerea and its modus operandi combined with early season control could save the crop. 

Only an hour from London a delightful vineyard destination awaits with experiences to match other wine regions of the world.  Vineyard trails and tours, tastings of award-winning wines, delicious local produce in the café, luxurious gift hampers, lively fayres and events – Vineyard visits Bolney Wine Estate and meets Sam Linter the driving force behind this exceptional boutique family wine business.

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.