The Buchan ‘Midas Touch’
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.
Continue reading “The Buchan ‘Midas Touch’”Green and pleasant
There is nothing nicer than a countryside walk coupled with a winery visit and a lovely lunch, writes Matthew Jukes.
Continue reading “Green and pleasant”A winemaker’s guide to blending
Advances in technology and wine science support winemakers in achieving the highest quality wines but blending still fundamentally relies on the capability of the winemaker, their palate and experience – and is a skill which must be learnt. Vineyard asks David Cowderoy, a winemaker of 30 years who has prepared blends for many wine styles all around the world, for some practical tips.
Continue reading “A winemaker’s guide to blending”To dip or not to dip?
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.
Continue reading “To dip or not to dip?”The value of wine tourism
After a year of lockdown restrictions, we are desperate to be set free. There appears to be pride in buying local products alongside an emerging appetite for supporting local businesses exploring the wonders and uncovering the treasures of our beautiful isle. Wine tourism ticks so many of these boxes and Vineyard finds out how wineries can embrace the benefits of the wine tourist and achieve visitor experience excellence.
Continue reading “The value of wine tourism”Shropshire’s best kept secret
The Domesday Book of 1086 lists Hencote, meaning a ‘high homestead’– but if the early inhabitants could have glimpsed the future, they would be astonished by the Hencote of 2021. Vineyard speaks to Mark and Andrew Stevens about the family’s mission to create an outstanding and unique luxury tourist destination, set in the stunning Shropshire countryside.
Continue reading “Shropshire’s best kept secret”In conversation…
The Oxford Wine Company is an award-winning independent wine merchant that has evolved from relatively humble beginnings to boast a highly successful wine school, a team of expert advisors, a flourishing wine café and a chic piano bar. Knowing that wine is more than the liquid in the bottle, Ted’s son Will has added wine tourism to the business portfolio. VIND is a unique website for exploring the world’s best vineyards in England and abroad, and Vineyard finds out more.
Continue reading “In conversation…”Sussex by the Glass
The launch of the book, Sussex by the Glass, on International Women’s Day 2021 spotlights the success of two skilled and enterprising women, Sam Linter, Bolney Estate and Tamara Roberts, Ridgeview Estate. Sussex by the Glass, by award-winning wine writer Liz Sagues, focusses on one county and two pioneer winemaking families, both rare in the modern history of English wine, being multi-generation businesses – and now headed by the daughters of their founders.
Continue reading “Sussex by the Glass”Wild flower maintenance
Many new designs of mower are being used to preserve and enhance the beauty and biodiversity of fauna and flora in vineyards. These mowers are more sympathetic than traditional flail and rotary mowers which smash and mince up anything in their path including insects, animals and ground nesting birds. Alongside the benefits to the environment from using these new designs it is also a pleasant experience for visitors to see the wild flowers when visiting the vineyard restaurant or shop.
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