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.  

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.