It's Grape up North

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VINEYAROCTOBERD 2019 IN CONVERSATION MATTHEW JUKES AGRONOMY James Townsend, WINE REVIEW Crop protection Dunesford Vineyard, Catnip to ‘homeless’ specialists Hutchinsons Yorkshire grape growers support UK vineyards

IT’S GRAPE UP NORTH Demystifying Yorkshire in our two part series

VINEYARD• Farm and Estate Management • Rent Reviews • Planning ApplicationsCONSULTANTS • Basic Payment Scheme • Countryside Stewardship • Grant Applications Call us on 01892 770339 or email [email protected] www.c-l-m.co.uk for viticulturists in Great Britain ™ VINEYARD

EDITORIAL Editor NEWS Victoria Rose [email protected] 6 Harvest 2019 is a more typical year ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisement director 7 Yield survey needs you Jamie McGrorty 01303 233883 9 English Merlot Calls may be monitored or recorded Cabernet Sauvignon [email protected] blend draws attention

Accounts & administration 11 MPs call for relief Michala Nason scheme to benefit [email protected] smaller vineyards DESIGN Studio manager Jo Legg Designer REGULARS James Pitchford [email protected] 28 Matthew Jukes’ Photographer Martin Apps wine review www.countrywidephotographic.co.uk Catnip to ‘homeless’ grape growers. PUBLISHER CO in wine Vineyard Magazine Ltd 30 2 Measuring carbon dioxide Clive Rabson Director can be tricky but important to monitor during the winemaking GENERAL ENQUIRIES and bottling process. AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: 01303 233880 40 The vine post Calls may be monitored or recorded How to design a vineyard. [email protected] 46 Representing you WEBSITE New monthly column from Wines of Great Britain. www.vineyardmagazine.co.uk 49 Control troublesome

Produced by: Vineyard Magazine Ltd PO Box 229, HYTHE, CT21 4WY www.vineyardmagazine.co.uk Vineyard is a trade mark of Front cover image: Vineyard Magazine Ltd Divico grapes Photo: NIAB EMR Printed in England

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Features

In conversation… James Townsend at Dunesforde Vineyard in Upper Dunsforth, York, talks to Vineyard about what it’s like to grow 18 grapes up North.

Editor’s visit Demystifying northern 20 viticultural challenges.

Agronomy The crop protection specialists proudly supporting vineyards 32 across the entire UK.

Rain or shine? The expectation of delivering a crop in perfect condition can set one’s nerves 42 jangling. Rose ria to ic V From the editor The Vineyard Sup North

In the car driving up to Yorkshire from Kent there was ample time to think about all the possible responses to my question: what is the specialists biggest challenge of growing grapes so far north? Working with growers for 80 years, Hutchinsons remains a family I thought about Alastair Nesbitt’s 2018 report ‘A suitability model for business offering specialist Horticultural agronomy advice and viticulture in England and Wales’ and its conclusions that “many existing inputs, together with a comprehensive range of packaging vineyards are sub optimally located”. This report applies to all vineyards materials. We also offer a range of equipment for vine pruning & training, across all regions but as my brain ran through the site selection checklist including wirework, ties, clips, scissors and pruners. Our professionalism (elevation, aspect, soil type, risk of frost, and climate), stereotypical ‘northern’ is coupled with a total commitment to customer service. weather conditions undoubtedly stood out. With a highly experienced Horticultural agronomist team and dedicated Typically, it was raining the day of our visit, but it had rained in Kent and the Produce Packaging division covering the whole country, we have all the wider South East all week too. When sending over his quarterly column (see advice you want and all the inputs you need, just a phone call away. page 42) Matt Strugnell, vineyard manager at Ridgeview, Sussex, said it was difficult not to sound like he was just moaning about the weather. The end It’s our people that to the 2019 season has certainly been a challenge whether you are in Aike, Yorkshire or Brighton, Sussex. make the difference With Botrytis and other nasties taking advantage of this interspersed mix of wet and warm spells, none has been more subject to producers’ worry, TURRIFF panic and dismay over the risk of losing an entire crop than the nation’s

FORFAR SCOTLAND agronomists. The skilled viticultural specialists at crop protection firm Forfar: Hutchinsons (see page 32) have been busy guiding growers through these (01307) 460944 turbulent times. Perhaps the answer lies not in praying for every year to be like 2018, MONKTON ALNWICK PRODUCE PACKAGING but in finding varieties which are more suited to our marginal cool climate. Spalding: (01775) 710066 CARLISLE Despite being the second most planted varietal, data from the 2018 ICCWS- WineGB yield survey suggest that last year Pinot noir’s performance was

WETHERBY EAST ANGLIA comparatively poor. As there are currently only figures from the extraordinary Wisbech: SELBY (01945) 461177 2018 season, to better improve our understanding of viticulture in the UK, the WEST MIDLANDS ORMSKIRK yield survey is being run again this year (see page 7). /SOUTH WEST DORRINGTON Ledbury: (01531) 631131 SPALDING SOUTH EAST If the industry does decide it needs a more commercially viable red wine EAST WISBECH Canterbury: SHREWSBURY HARLING grape, scientists at NIAB-EMR believe they have found the answer. Grown in SOHAM (01227) 830064 NEEDHAM the UK’s only research vineyard, Divico, which features on this month’s front LEDBURY BANBURY MARKET cover, will soon be pressed and fermented in the newly opened research

DEVIZES CANTERBURY MARDEN PRODUCE PACKAGING winery (see page 12). Marden: (01622) 831423 By the time I arrived in Yorkshire, I had thought I had considered every TRURO possible obstacle facing northern viticulturists. Yet, the answer I got from Ian Sargent, owner of Laurel Vines, (see page 20) came as a surprise. Growers nationwide do not enjoy equal access to education; a vital requirement for anyone hoping to protect vines when the rainy days do arrive. H L Hutchinson Ltd • Weasenham Lane Wisbech • Cambridgeshire PE13 2RN Tel: 01945 461177 f: 01945 474837 • e: [email protected] www.hlhltd.co.uk Send your thoughts and comments

[email protected] www.producepackaging.co.uk by post to FREEPOST VINEYARD or email 4 [email protected] OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD 15079HUT~ViticultureMagazine_advert(270x93)2019.indd 1 02/01/2019 11:10 WWW.VINE-WORKS.COM

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◆ 2010’s 1086 for 2019 Sparkling wine producer Nyetimber has released Harvest 2019 is a the 2010 vintage of its Prestige Cuvee, ‘1086’. A blend of 45% more typical year Chardonnay, 44% Pinot noir and 11% Pinot The 2019 Nyetimber harvest began on Saturday 5 small, experience of fruit from six hectares of our meunier, the 2010 October. The largest English sparkling producer and Kent vineyards, which will give us an insight into the vintage conditions saw the only producer to own vineyards across three characteristics we can expect from this site.” slightly lower than average counties of southern England, Nyetimber’s grapes Grapes from this year’s harvest will be processed at temperatures in the early will be picked from 214 hectares of estate-owned Nyetimber’s state-of-the-art pressing centre located at growing stages, but much vineyards in West Sussex, Hampshire and, for the first the heart of its historic West Sussex estate. This facility drier weather conditions time, Kent. uses the latest technology as well as traditional gravity too. Flowering proceeded Following the earliest recorded start to harvest in 2018, flow to ensure the least mechanical intervention possible in excellent conditions in this year sees a return to more traditional timing of early and ensures that both the grapes and juice destined late June and early July, October and heralds the start of three weeks intense for Nyetimber wines are treated in the gentlest way, with hot and dry weather activity at the Nyetimber estate. Chardonnay, Pinot noir maintaining the highest level of quality. producing a large, even and Pinot meunier grapes will be hand-picked across “The growing conditions this year started with touches crop. Despite some cool eight vineyards by 300 skilled workers, representing the of spring frost, although we were largely unaffected, and and wet periods in August, largest hectarage of any English sparkling wine producer. a moderately warm, if at times wet, summer – all ‘typical’ the advancement gained “The 2019 harvest seems to be shaping up to factors in the UK which have previously resulted in great in the early part of the be a more typical year than 2018, with the start wines from years like 2009,” said Cherie. “Excellent work season enabled a slow, of picking returning to early October,” said Cherie by our team in the vineyards has ensured optimal vine gradual ripening and Spriggs Nyetimber’s head winemaker. “It is too early and fruit health, with all signs looking positive for both produced fine, delicate to say much about the fruit chemistry or flavours, quality and quantity across West Sussex, Hampshire and flavours in the berries. but we are particularly excited to get the first, albeit Kent for the 214 hectares we will be harvesting from.”

> Nyetimber

6 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD NEWS

The largest grower survey of yield and production in the UK will be open for this year’s Yield survey needs you harvest submissions from 1 November 2019. Commissioned by Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) term development of the industry, a number of at data-gathering and strict confidentiality protocols and made possible by the legacy funding from improvements have been made to the 2019 to the project. No one outside Wine Intelligence will the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium, submission process. have access to the raw data without the express the 2018 ICCWS-WineGB Yield Survey was first Firstly, instead of running from January to March, permission of the growers themselves. launched at the membership organisation’s the 2019 survey will be open from 1 November. The 2019 project will be managed by Luke Viticulture Technical Conference last year. It is hoped that harvest will be at the forefront of Spalding, with assistance from Stephen Skelton, By collecting on-going data from vineyards peoples’ minds at this time. The survey itself has who is providing oversight on behalf of WineGB, and across the UK, it is hoped that the report will show also been simplified with questions covering the Peter Hayes, an Australian viticulturalist will also be why ‘grape yields in England and Wales can be basics including weights, sugar levels, acidity, providing input and advice on the interpretation of significantly lower than comparable wine-producing and also disease and pest pressure, damage and the results. regions and are also subject to significant temporal impact. “Every other grape growing region produces yield and spatial variation’. Growers who completed the survey last year will reports, and some go into huge detail,” said Stephen Having received data from 114 growers, whose also find the process quicker as personal details, Skelton, UK viticulturalist. “I have seen reports from combined vineyard area covered 464 ha (1,147 such as location, vineyard area and varieties grown, many other cool climate regions. New Zealand, acres), around 20% of UK vineyards that were will all be saved under their profile and will not need Tasmania and Luxembourg are all good examples, cropping in 2018, the initial report was an overall to be re-entered. and it is something we should be doing. There is a success. The details of the full 2018 report, which By showing the UK’s vineyard production potential, lot of positive PR surrounding the UK harvests, but has been written by Stephen Skelton MW, with input the data will allow for better targeting of industry growers, and potential new investors, really need to from last year’s project manager Jim Newsome and development initiatives, including research and have access to hard data. When people are being Peter Hayes AM, is now available to download from development, market development, public policy advised they should be aware of both the good the WineGB website. measures and public and private investment. and the bad aspects. If you are intending to plant a As greater response rates would provide There is also potential for the results to be used vineyard, the report is a must read.” enhanced data about more grape varieties and by participating vineyards to benchmark their The on-going survey is set to provide the regions, and would allow for more effective performance against anonymised regional data. foundation for future development of an industry- analysis and better understanding of longer- Yield variability in the UK is a tremendously owned database, and it is anticipated that the complex issue but key to the sustainability of the information and knowledge generated, along with industry. With the support of all growers across the data analysis, will provide enhanced confidence England, Wales, the Channel Isles and the Republic in the scale and stage of development of the of Ireland, this survey is an important step on the industry. journey to understanding and improving this. Given the absence of a comprehensive industry Information from the 2019 harvest will be database, the current survey is making the first collected from growers through an online survey steps in redressing this situation. An ongoing project designed by Wine Intelligence. As confidentiality with successively enhanced and upgraded aspects is fundamental to contributor and respondent will capitalise on this initial effort and deliver further confidence, Wine Intelligence will bring its expertise and continuing value. The latest gender bias? According to new data, women in the UK are being penalised for preferring a different drink to men as tax on wine, the most popular alcoholic drink among women in the UK, has risen twice as fast as tax on beer, the most popular alcoholic drink among men over the past decade. A YouGov survey reveals that 39% of women list wine as their favourite alcoholic drink, with 7% choosing beer. Among men, the order is reversed with 40% preferring beer and 16% preferring wine. The data also reveals that wine is more widely consumed by women, with 84% of choosing wine in the last 12 months, compared to 68% who have drunk beer. For men this is reversed with 78% having drunk wine and 91% drunk beer. An analysis of Budget decisions shows that duty on wine has risen by 39% since 2010, compared with a rise of 16% for beer. More duty is paid on a typical serving of wine than any other drink, making up 52p of an average 175ml glass of wine, compared to 43p for a pint of beer. Wine Drinkers UK campaign group is calling for an end to, and reversal of, the unfair penalisation of wine drinkers at the next Budget. The campaign is backed by wine commentators, companies and enthusiasts. “The facts are indisputable. Alcohol duty decisions by the Government over the past decade have consistently been more favourable to beer drinkers than wine drinkers, and means that our politicians have been favouring men over women,” said Helen McGinn, author of Knackered Mother's Wine Club book and blog. “This bias – whether conscious or unconscious – now needs to be addressed. It is time to give wine drinkers a break and cut back wine tax.” Supporters of Wine Drinkers UK are writing to Simon Clarke, Exchequer secretary to the Treasury – the government minister responsible for alcohol duty rates – calling for a reduction in wine duty at the next Budget. 7 THE 5DS AND 5DV SERIES. MAXIMUM TRACTION FOR MAXIMUM PRODUCTIVITY.

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SDF - 5DS_DV_advert_Vineyard_A4.indd 1 27/03/2019 17:05 NEWS English Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon blend draws attention

Cornish wine merchant BinTwo has recently been named the UK's best are the main drivers.” independent retailer after it topped the Harpers Wine & Spirit list of the Despite concerns, customers have not been put off by the still wine’s UK’s 50 Best Indies 2019. non-vintage approach and looking to the future, Mike is hoping to continue The hybrid wine cellar, bar and coffee shop, located in the harbour town of working with Knightor. Padstow, was recognised for making wine fun and its have-a-go approach. Mike is also keen to continue his search for new, exciting opportunities and BinTwo’s plans for a micro winery in Cornwall also stood out, along with the with fruit from the on-going 2019 harvest, BinTwo will soon be developing a Jammy Git wine brand. Pinot noir based pink Pét-Nat with the team at Trevibban Mill. The first Jammy Git, a 100% Merlot, was created in Bordeaux in partnership “We’re currently working with winemaker Salvatore Leone to produce with Mark Hellyar, a friend of BinTwo’s owner Mike Boyne. something I don't think has been made in Cornwall before,” said Mike. “This “The name Jammy Git is a playful nod to the serendipity that led us into will be on sale at the shop from spring 2020. We also have some ideas for ownership of BinTwo five years ago and the general, all-round jamminess that what could be the smallest winery in the country. There is a space next to our we have broadly enjoyed since,” said Mike. “Beneath the branding, all Jammy second shop, the Arc, which could house an Amphora and Salvatore is also Git wines have a certain authenticity in common. They’re wines that I feel looking at one of our fields to see if it would be suitable for vines. It would be we have a genuine connection with. We’ll have met the winemaker, visited really fun to have a tiny vineyard supplying fruit to fill an Amphora and making the vineyard, understood their ethos, maybe even taken a small part in the a very small amount of orange wine to sell through the shop.” development of the wine.” BinTwo stocks a wide range of carefully chosen wines and spirits, serving It is the second instalment of Jammy Git, however, which is the true marvel. a selection by the glass giving people the opportunity to try something a little During a visit to Cornwall’s Knightor winery, to taste new wines for the shop, different. It also runs Meet the Winemaker and Flight Club events, matching a Mike picked up on an off-the-cuff comment winemaker David Brocklehurst had flight of wines with food while listening to a guest speaker talk about the wine made about a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot they had in development. region. “My curiosity was piqued so I asked where they were sourcing the grapes as those are not normally varieties you would associate with the UK,” said > Mike Boyne Mike. “David replied that the grapes were from Gloucestershire, just 15 miles from where I had grown up. Tim Chance grows these grapes under two enormous glasshouses in which he used to grow strawberries commercially.” Always keen to innovate, Knightor had three vintages in different stages of development. The 2016 was already on release as part of its range and thoughts were underway as to which direction to take the 2017 and 2018 vintages. “Just for fun we started playing with blends in the winery, taking samples of each vintage from barrel and trying different combinations,” said Mike. “What started as a bit of geeky wine fun took on a different air when we hit on a blend that led to a collective shared look of hang on, we’re onto something here.” With a bit more tweaking and refinement BinTwo and Knightor settled on a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Within this there is 42% of 2018, which had loads of lovely fruit but was lacking structure; 40% of 2017, which had structure but was a bit lean and mean; and 18% of 2016 which, having spent two years in oak, added a bit more body, structure and complexity. The finished product, which is just 12% abv, is light to medium bodied, fresh, juicy, bursting with red fruit flavours and a little hit of spice on the finish. Speaking to Vineyard Magazine, Mike explained that the unusual English blend has successfully “challenged a few wine experts”, particularly Masters of Wine who initially “raised eyebrows” over the concept of growing vines under glass, as well as the ability to ripen these varieties in the UK. “There have been a lot of people who have been pleasantly surprised at how it has turned out,” said Mike. “We have had a lot of praise from both consumers, who have been pleased to find an English red which they enjoy, and people working in the wine trade. The familiarity of the grape varieties has helped a little when it comes to sales, but we have found that the story behind the wine, as well as the branding, the humorous name and caricature, 9 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD NEWS

◆ Alzey 7672 After discovering the true parentage of Madeleine x Angevine 7672, the MPs call for relief Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof, has renamed the variety commonly called scheme to benefit Madeleine Angevine to Alzey 7672. Master of Wine and UK viticulturist Stephen Skelton was invited to smaller vineyards send leaf samples to the German vine breeding Membership organisation WineGB has welcomed wholeheartedly support this move and would be delighted programme from three the interest shown by MPs in support of its to work with any MPs with vineyards in their constituency UK vineyards. Following proposed Cellar Door Relief Scheme, and is actively to highlight this significant opportunity which is of DNA testing, the institute encouraging its members to contact their MPs to particular interest to our smaller producers. By encouraging has found that the varietal highlight the application made to HM Treasury last vineyards to expand their cellar door facilities, the scheme is a Riesling x Madeleine December on the industry’s behalf. would also encourage tourism more generally as well as Angevine crossing. The proposed scheme for wine producers would apply much needed rural development and employment.” While it is doubtful the only to wine sales direct to consumers at the cellar The WineGB proposal submitted to HMRC recommends industry will drop the door. A duty relief scheme granted in 2002 to smaller that producers would be permitted to sell up to 100Hl already well-established breweries and cider producers yielded significant benefits per year (roughly 13,500 bottles) from their cellar door to ‘Mad Angie’ title, technically the grape by creating favourable market conditions to enable them individuals personally present for personal consumption should now be listed as to compete with larger breweries. It has led to impressive and not for resale. The maximum relief for a producer Alzey 7672. growth in the sector. would therefore amount to £29,295; for sparkling Mr Skelton has also As well as helping smaller vineyards, WineGB believes producers, the maximum relief would be £37,395. sent samples of Triomphe the proposed scheme would also satisfy EU and WTO As a substantial number of vineyards do not have wine d’Alsace, as it is thought rules on state aid for industry and could enhance the total production facilities but sub-contract production to a third the UK clone might differ revenue raised by HMRC. party the proposal also suggests that only wine which from other records. “During this somewhat turbulent time it is encouraging is either made at the premises of the producer or made to see a number of our MPs actively behind this initiative, from grapes grown on the vineyard be eligible for the ◆ Academy under that, if passed, will bring resounding benefits to the relief. new management UK wine industry and thus to the UK economy as a WineGB has put the call out to its members again to The Wine & Spirit whole,” said Simon Robinson, chairman of WineGB. “We contact their local MPs to raise this issue with them. Education Trust (WSET) and the Institute of Hospitality (IOH) have signed an agreement ‘Boisterous and fun’ to jointly manage the Academy of Food & Wine Blanc de Blancs Service (AFWS). Set up in 1988, Hampshire’s Jenkyn Place vineyard has released its the AFWS is the first ever Blanc de Blancs from the 2015 vintage to join professional body for the boutique winery’s new vintage Brut Classic Cuvée front-of-house food 2014, its Rosé 2014 and its Blanc de Noirs 2010. and beverage service The Jenkyn Place Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2015 is made in the UK hospitality exclusively from Chardonnay grapes from the vineyard’s industry. Within the new 500 Chardonnay vines and is also available in striking gift partnership, WSET will boxes. manage the beverage “Our brand-new baby has been described as ‘boisterous and sommelier-related elements, while IOH and fun’ which we think sums up the bubbles and pizazz of will continue to manage this bottle perfectly,” said Owner Simon Bladon. “With great all activities related to acidity and fruitiness, I have found this to be an incredibly restaurant management food-friendly wine.” and food service. Situated on the south facing slope of the North Downs The first vines were planted at Jenkyn Place in 2004 on The Academy, in Hampshire, Jenkyn Place is run by Simon Bladon and land which previously grew some of the most sought-after under the guidance his daughter Camilla. The winery produces only sparkling hops in Britain. Today the vineyard has now grown to over of sommelier Nicolas wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier 13 acres following the planting of the Pinot noir last year. Clerc MS, will continue grapes grown on soils of greensand over chalk and The estate suggests pairing the Blanc de Blancs 2015, to organise the UK marlstone. which has an RRP of £38.00 with a fresh asparagus Sommelier of the Year On the creation of this new release, winemaker Dermot tart or white meat, such as chicken in a light garlic and and UK Restaurant Manager of the Year Sugrue said: “We just had to make it; we had no choice - cream sauce. Jenkyn Place wines are distributed via New competitions. the Chardonnay grapes were just so damn good.” Generation McKinley. 10 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD De Lacy executive recruitment Excellence integrity global agricultural recruitment

De Lacy Executive is seeking: Vineyard & Operations Managers Trade summit highlights a Wine Makers Technical Viticulture Agronomists lack of political leadership Business Unit Managers Speaking at the Wine and Spirits Trade Association 2019 Industry Summit on 18 September WSTA chief executive Miles Beale delivered a candid speech to members saying that for the fourth year running the industry faced an “unprecedented” UK political climate. “Government seems hell bent on failing to act on the concerns of industry,” said Mr Beale. “In Downing Street, a lack of political leadership has been replaced by heavy handed political manoeuvring. Disruption, drift and division seem to be becoming the new norm.” The Wine and Spirit Trade Association(WSTA) now calls on government to listen to industry concerns and act on its advice to avoid trade disruption, burdensome red tape and shortages. The summit was held just a week after the WSTA went public on Get in touch for an informal, confidential the government’s decision not to suspend what WSTA calls damaging, discussion on 01885 483440 or at burdensome and unnecessary VI1 import certificates. It also coincides [email protected] with controversial plans to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers that the WSTA says threatens to impose a "huge burden on producers, retailers and ultimately consumers". As part of its role to unite and lead trade in any post-Brexit scenario the WSTA announced the launch of a series of new WSTA projects including a new website. The Future of Wine Those interested in sustainability can now register to attend Sustainable Wine’s one-day business meeting The Future of Wine. Being held on 4 November 2019 at the Conduit Club, Mayfair, London, the BESPOKE VINEYARD conference will bring together leading winemakers, retailers and industry executives, to discuss why sustainability matters and it can be put into MANAGEMENT SERVICES practice in the wine industry. Spaces are limited to 100 attendees. C&E Vines Labours Ltd is committed to Starting at 9.00am, topics will include how viticulturalists can produce providing a wide range of specialised services to grapes more sustainably; future challenges resulting from our changing help you keep your vineyards in excellent condition. climate; the financial impact of sustainability; whether the end of chemicals in the vineyard is practical, or even desirable; the role of retail; and whether organic approaches are better or worse for the environment. Speakers will include familiar faces such as Chris Foss, chair of the WineGB Environmental Sustainability Workgroup; Tony Milanowski, FOR ALL YOUR VINEYARD Take the stress out of winemaker at Rathfinny Wine Estate; Sue Daniels, Marks & Spencer; Jane REQUIREMENTS maintaining your vineyard Awty, Oatley Vineyard; and Ross Barclay-Beuthin, Cloud Agro Ltd. • Planting & trellising with C & E Vine Labours Ltd “We’re looking forward to a really frank and honest conversation • Tractor & machine CONTACT about sustainability means, how expectations are evolving, certification operators and its value, what retailers want, and what consumers say they want, • Pruning PHONE 07455 676716 on sustainable wines,” said Tobias Webb, co-founder and director of • Bud rubbing Sustainable Wine Ltd, organisers of the event. • Canopy management EMAIL • Windbreak solutions / [email protected] Tree planting To register for tickets, visit: WEB www.c-e-vinelabours.co.uk www.sustainablewine.co.uk/future-of-sustainable-wine-forum • Harvest work 11 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD Research vineyard opens winery and identifies game-changing red varietal

Viticultural scientists in Kent believe the South East could soon be producing applying that to commercial benefit in the industry. The results are helping de-risk more high-quality red wine thanks to a grape variety which has been trialled the decision to plant a variety such as Divico, and helping transform the UK’s red at East Malling for the past three years. wine industry. NIAB EMR believe the Swiss-developed Divico grape could be the much sought The 2019 harvest will be the first one processed at the recently completed after game-changing variety as it produces quality red wine and thrives despite ‘research winery’ at NIAB EMR. The bespoke state-of-the-art facility underpins the the challenges of the UK climate. Until now the focus of English vineyards has rapidly expanding viticulture sector and is thanks to a £150,000 vine-to-wine R&D mainly been on sparkling and still white wines. infrastructure investment. Dr Julien Lecourt, head of viticulture and wine R&D at NIAB EMR, said: “Red The NIAB EMR research winery adds to the 10,000m2 concept vineyard wine accounts for only five per cent of the UK’s current production, but we believe planted in 2015 for scientific and demonstration purposes. The vineyard Divico now offers strong commercial prospects by producing quality red wines. makes it possible to deliver randomised and replicated trials to ensure the The yield is great and, crucially, the variety has three key growth attributes which research is robust and supports forward-thinking viticulturalists. mark it out from all others.” “The UK wine industry is increasing by tens of millions of pounds per annum Divico flowers in early June, which is late enough to avoid frosts and when and urgently needs this bespoke research capability that focuses specifically temperatures are slightly higher allowing optimal pollination, better yield and on the country’s terroir and climate,” said Julien. “The research will ensure quality. It is also proving to be naturally resistant to many of the economically- our commercial vineyards are best-placed to respond to climate change, bring important diseases affecting grape crops – a factor that is key for growing crops forward viable new varieties and improve growing regimes and systems to in the UK’s warm humid environment which often favours development of fungal compete with international wine growers.” diseases. The winery uses the latest equipment to produce small batches. Its The wine quality is outstanding as Divico’s precocity and its natural resistance press is able to process up to 500kg of grapes at a time. Wine production to fungal diseases allows a long ripening, resulting in an optimal aromatic and is undertaken in temperature-controlled tanks, with 15 each of 110 litre phenolic quality. capacity, alongside three 700 litre tanks. The computer monitored system “As a variety, Divico is considered likely to supersede Pinot noir, the previous makes it possible for the scientists to produce highly replicable wines and industry-standard red variety, as the UK season often doesn’t allow for consistent fully control the pace of fermentation. full maturation of the fruit, which hinders the quality of the wine produced,” “This centre offers nationally significant viticulture and production-related said Julien. “While our UK-produced Pinot noir wines have improved, they do research at a time when there’s a growing commercial interest in investing in struggle to compete against our European and New World winemakers in terms wine production throughout the whole process,” said Mario Caccamo, NIAB of consistency. Based on the trials and our work with the industry, we believe that EMR’s managing director. “The combined efforts of the research vineyard and many UK vineyards should now consider Divico as the red variety of choice and it the winery will give greater confidence to our country’s wine makers who are offers a very important opportunity to help drive the industry forward.” looking to reduce the risk and improve the commercial certainty in the pursuit Planting and producing wine from Divico vines in the UK’s only research vineyard of excellence.” offering randomised and replicated trials has given the team of scientists at East As well as working with UK vineyards, the team at NIAB EMR also Malling the earliest possible opportunity to see how it responds to the climate of collaborates with companies involved in the whole wine making process. Kent and the South East. The winery was funded by East Malling Trust and NIAB and will primarily The variety, Divico was bred at the Swiss Centre of Excellence for Agricultural be focused on servicing the members of the NIAB EMR viticulture R&D Research (Agroscope) in the late 1990s and first released for planting in 2013. The consortium including Bolney Wine Estate, Chapel Down, Gusbourne, Halfpenny viticulture research at NIAB EMR is about undertaking world-class science and Green Vineyard, Hencote, MDCV UK, and Nyetimber. 12 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD TAILORED INSURANCE FOR GRAPE GROWERS AND WINE MAKERS

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A north Cornish vineyard’s sparkling wine has been crowned the West Mumcuoglu. In a complete career change, having come from backgrounds in region’s Wine of the Year. telecoms and medical physics, they attended a two-year course in viticulture Trevibban Mill’s Blanc de Blancs 2014 won gold at the WineGB West and winemaking to learn about the process of wine production. awards, where it was also awarded The Ray Palfrey Cup for the best They purchased the land in 2007 and planted the vineyard in 2008 and have sparkling wine, as well as being named the overall champion. been producing wine in their own onsite winery since 2014. The awards ceremony took place on 10 September 2019 at the Royal “We are thrilled to win these awards for our beautiful Blanc de Blancs Agricultural University in Cirencester. Organised by the UK’s largest regional 2014. Its elegance is a true expression of all that is wonderful about English trade body for the industry, WineGB West, the annual competition welcomes sparkling wines,” said Liz. “Made in the traditional method and aged on entries from vineyards and wineries across the West Country and South the lees for four years, Blanc de Blancs 2014 is classified as Brut Nature, Wales. indicating the very driest type of sparkling wine as no sugars are added. On The judging panel was made up of industry specialists and critics, who the palate it is bone dry and complex, with notes of biscuit and brioche over judged the 123 entries in seven classes including best sparkling wines, dry orchard fruit.” whites, and wines from the Bacchus grape. Trevibban Mill’s Black Ram red wine also won silver at the same awards; Wine educator and certified sommelier, Rebecca Mitchell, who was on the and its Pinot Noir Pink Sparkling 2014 was recently awarded silver in the panel said: “The judges were impressed with the ongoing rise in quality year Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championship 2019. on year coming out of the West Country. The sparkling whites were really Blanc de Blancs 2014 is available in Trevibban Mill’s wine shop and website, exceptional.” priced at £46.00 per bottle. Its full range of products is available online and in Trevibban Mill was established by husband and wife team Engin and Liz select stores and restaurants throughout Cornwall.

Wine of The Year The

Trevibban Mill Sunnybank Blanc de Blancs 2014 Trophy for Best Red Wine

Wythall Estate Tudor Manor Estate Red 2017 The Gillian Pearkes Memorial Trophy for Best Contributor

Faye Pratt for work on behalf of the region over many years as membership secretary and competition secretary 14 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD The Stewards Trophy for Best Rosé Wine

Sharpham Estate Rosé 2017 Challenge Cup for Best The Oaked White Wine Association Oatley Vineyard "Fraicheur" Barrel Matured 2017 Cup for Best Committee Cup for Best Non-Dry Dry White Wine White Wine

Fenny Castle Three Choirs Bacchus 2018 Late Harvest 2018 The Ray Palfrey Cup for The Best Sparkling Wine Chairman's Cup for Best Trevibban Mill Blanc de Blancs 2014 Sparkling Rosé

Camel Valley Pinot Noir Rosé Brut 2016

15 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD SOCIAL Talk to us! @VineyardMagGB  FREEPOST Vineyard paper-plane [email protected]

Tamar Valley Vineyard Henry Laithwaite Apparently, our vines are feeling better @HarrowandHope and would like to produce some more After trials over the last grapes. Not sure if the weather will hold two years every barrel for a second harvest! #harvest2019 will be fermented wild #winesofthewestcountry #devon this year. #vineyardmaggb #drinklocal facebook-f twitter

S J Barnes Ltd sjbarneslimited S J Barnes is officially the first UK-based contractor to offer machine harvesting within the UK. This project has been in the making for three years and has finally come into action. This really is the way forwards for British viticulture. The machine has been selected with quality of the fruit being the main focus. The fruit quality and condition coming out is excellent. This is just the beginning with a number of vineyards and winery’s already utilising this service. #britishvineyard #britishwines #grapeharvesting #mechanicalgrapeharvest instagram

Yorkshire Heart Balfour Hush Heath Estate Harvest is coming and @HushHeath the grapes are getting Grape sampling this morning. Sophie from our winery team fat. is picking bunches from various clones and rootstocks to measure sugar and acidity of the grapes. Pinot meunier in our oldest vineyard Oast House Meadow is looking great. Most commonly used in our English sparkling wine blends, facebook-f but for the first time ever we have released a 100% still Pinot twitter meunier from our 2018 vintage called Red Miller.

Nanias Vineyard naniasvineyard #NaniasVineyard first commercial vineyard is complete and in tank! Thanks to the lovely Lindsell family at Sandyford Vineyard in Essex who have helped make our dream come true and our winemaking partners at @litmuswines and @denbies_wine_estate. Watch this space over the coming months to see what we have in store for you and what treats we make out of our delicious grapes. instagram

a'Beckett's Vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Auxerrois in the sunshine, yes that's sunshine folks #englishwine

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Countrywide Photo @Countrywidepics Have visited a few vineyards over the facebook-f last 18 months with @VineyardMagGB. Recently we visited @gusbourne and it has to be the neatest, tidiest vineyard I have New Lodge Vineyard photographed. Crazy that the place is 10 #VineyardDog Leo protecting our minutes from where I live and I never knew twitter grape #Harvest‘19 from the cheeky #EnglishSparklingWine #Vineyard #Kent 16 pheasants! OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD Wine Cellar Door Now pressing @WineCellarDoor 2019 vintage Driver reports train moving slowly... Good job I've got @ VineyardMagGB to keep me company! twitter

Gwinllan Conwy Defi ned Wine Ltd conwyvineyard 2019 harvest at Gwinllan Conwy is now complete! We are always overwhelmed CONTRACT WINERY No vineyard or brands, just contract services for others with the help we get from volunteers and of course our neighbouring vineyard @vale. Full winemaking service vineyard! Thanks to this dream team our Phoenix is now on Still and sparkling its journey to join Ortega and create 2019 Pydew! instagram or as separate services: Storage - including on lees Pressing Gwinllan Llaethliw gwinllanllaethliwvineyard Riddling and disgorging First variety picked and pressed! #solaris #white #wine #clean Bottling #grapes #welshwine #wales www.defi nedwine.com instagram Kent,nr Canterbury More info: just off the A2, CT4 5HL henry@defi nedwine.com Renishaw Hall Englishwineproject Some really nice pictures from today!! A massive thank you ENWARD for everyone that came out and helped. Next up #petnat DESIGN AND BUILD 2 26th October!! Time to get your feet clean and then dirty for some more grape pressing the old-fashioned way!! TBH if it were just me and hired help it would be dull! #englishwine #sheffield #derbyshire #eckington #chesterfield #buylocal instagram

Albourne Estate albourneestate Our latest vineyard recruit receiving quad bike training for #harvest2019. Maybe she’s a little young at 14 weeks! #sussexwine #cutedogs #vineyarddogs Kenward Construction based in Horsham, West Sussex offer a full design and build service for your next steel framed building including composite instagram cladding, concrete panels, roller shutter doors and bespoke designs to meet individual planning conditions. Kenward Construction also offer a wide range of services offering a truly one stop shop for your next building project. Demolition, plant hire, access roads, Fox and Fox drainage, sewage treatment plants, rainwater harvesting, paving, concrete foxandfox.wine floors/ slabs, walling and site landscaping. Hangin’ about, waitin’ for Arrange a site visit with one of our contracts managers harvest...just letting the sugars to discuss your project in more detail by emailing build a tad more. #sussex [email protected] or call 01403 210218 #pinotnoir #englishwine instagram #lovefoxandfox www.kenwardgroundworks.co.uk 17 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD GRAPE GROWING James T ow n s In conversation... e n

d James Townsend at Dunesforde Vineyard in Upper Dunsforth, York, talks to Vineyard about what it’s like to grow grapes up North.

How did you end up How is harvest 2019 shaping Was there one key aspect of planting a vineyard in up in terms of quantity and the 2019 season which you Yorkshire? quality? will never forget? Initially we started our search for a vineyard in 2019 will only be our second harvesting year. All the rain! The conditions this summer have Italy. I had gone to university there for a year, We’ve got more fruit than last year, but the wet meant keeping on top of growth in the canopy worked a couple of harvests in Tuscany and weather has led to a few problems with both has been a challenge. We’ve repeatedly had to loved the culture, the food and the wine. When powdery and downy mildew. The Solaris is pass through the vineyard trimming, removing land became available in the village our family looking great though, as is the Pinot noir précoce side shoots and de-leafing. A stark contrast to had lived in for thirty years, it seemed like a that hasn’t been hit by mildew. 2018 where, thanks to the lack of rain, we were great opportunity to do something unique and able to do each of these jobs in just one pass. different. What is the biggest Tell us about your terroir… viticultural challenge of being Our 4-acre vineyard is planted on a gently located so far north? sloping site in the Vale of York on sandy The weather! April and May are always nervy clay soil with Bacchus, Pinot gris, Pinot noir times of year when we’re at risk from spring précoce and Solaris. Rows are planted north- frosts. We use a variety of passive methods south with the highest point being just 15m to protect ourselves as much as we can - late above sea level. We benefit from shelter from pruning, leaving sacrificial canes, tying down mature trees to the south west and we are as late as possible - and this year we also normally a degree or two warmer than nearby experimented using sprays when frost risk was York and Harrogate. People might think of high. Ripening fruit and getting the right balance Yorkshire as cold and wet, but being in the between sugars and acids in the grapes is rain shadow of the Pennines, we’re actually right up there as well, particularly with our later prone to droughts in the summer and get varieties like Pinot gris. some really warm spells.

18 GRAPE GROWING

Name one interesting fact Do you think it is going to What is the best piece about Dunesforde that helps become more challenging of vineyard machinery/ the brand stick in people’s to stand out in a crowded equipment you have invested minds. market? in and why? The Dunesforde logo is actually an aerial view Being one of only a handful of vineyards this far Our Braun Rollhacke mechanical weeder that of the vineyard site. Ironically, when seen from north should help us stand out. English and Welsh we got from NP Seymour has been an excellent above the field it is D-shaped. We like to call it wine is still not well known up here and people investment - enabling us to manage the weeds the Dunesforde shard. often don’t believe there are vineyards in Britain, let under vine without relying on herbicides. alone in North Yorkshire! People in our region are How would you describe the intrigued and love the idea of a locally grown wine. Is there anything on your ethos of the estate? ‘shopping list’ for next year? We find it richly rewarding to share our passion How can producers ensure they A trimmer for the tractor. At the moment we use an and journey with others, this is at the heart of are staying ahead of trends? electrical hedge trimmer to hedge the canopy, the why we wanted to make wine in the first place. One of the best things about our industry at the batteries only last about an hour before needing to For us, wine is as much about the people as the moment is the ability to experiment and really be charged, so it takes a long time. It’s also pretty place. We would not be able to give the vines the try to find what works. We should be innovating hard work on the arms to get the top and sides level of care and attention that we do without our as much as possible, while also maintaining the done, especially in a warm and wet year like this team of volunteers. They are a big part of what high-quality standards people expect. year when we have to trim more often. makes our wine so special. Why do you think What do you think is the How do you get your wines to communities are so eager to biggest issue facing the UK market? get involved with their local viticulture industry? We’ve only just released our first still wines, with vineyard(s)? Carving out a niche in the crowded world wine our debut sparkling wines coming in 2020. With There’s just something magical about vineyards. market, especially given the high costs and low the limited production from our first harvest, They’re usually in beautiful places and seem to yields in the UK. Also, yield, reaching a wider we’re just selling from our website and the bring a sense of calm to people. We have volunteers audience and finding a place in the market. cellar door at events on the vineyard. In future from the village and wider community who come all though, we’re excited to get involved with some year round to help at Dunesforde. I think the appeal What advice would you give renowned local restaurants as well as setting up is in the camaraderie and being a part of making to those looking to get into the a members’ wine club. something so connected to our environment. UK viticulture industry? Get as much right in site selection and planning Do you think producers need If you weren’t working in as you can – making changes later is either very to offer more than just wine to viticulture what would you be difficult and costly, or impossible. Reach out to be sustainable? doing? experts for help and advice, we have such a I think it’s all part of the business, especially as I’d probably still be teaching, and the rest of the helpful and welcoming industry. we are a relatively young industry and are still family would be working on their other business trying to promote ourselves. interests. Finish this sentence: In ten years’ time… Dunesforde will be an established producer of outstanding cool climate wines.

19 EDITOR'S VISIT ictoria Ro V se E d it God’s own o wine country r

Demystifying northern viticultural challenges

There is one enormous obstacle which is putting Nestled in the small hamlet of Aike, between northern viticulturists and winemakers at a the market towns of Beverley and Driffield, In part one of a significant disadvantage in comparison to their Laurel Farm was purchased by Ian and Ann two-part focus southern counterparts. Sargent in 2009. The ex-livestock farm’s derelict buildings had recently been renovated and the on viticulture in No, we’re not talking untouched pasture land provided an opportunity for Ian to develop a hobby outside his busy Yorkshire, Victoria about site selection career as the owner of a large electricals firm. Rose visits Laurel Laurel Vines proves that it’s perfectly possible “Designing electronic component systems is to find a south-facing, chalky slope which sits just very intense, but I have never been one to just Vines in the 8-metres above sea level and is close to an estuary. sit about. I needed to find something different hamlet of Aike, East Riding.

20 EDITOR'S VISIT to do in my downtime,” said Ian Sargent, founder of Laurel Vines and chair We’re not talking about the of WineGB’s regional group Midlands and North. “I had a strange notion that we could make wine here in Yorkshire. Surveys of the fields were carried weather either out and everything was perfectly suited to a vineyard. We also checked A year after planting, Laurel Vines was hit by some of the worst weather drainage, pH levels and nutrient content as well as susceptibility to frost and imaginable. Winter temperatures fell to -18°C, and long periods of rain wind. It ticked all the boxes.” caused flooding in spring and summer. This was not contained to Yorkshire; The chalk soils were prepared, the vines carefully selected and in April there is not one vineyard manager across the UK who will forget 2012, the 2011 the first 2,000 Ortega, Rondo and Solaris were planted in a north- year Nyetimber famously refused to make any wine. south alignment. Today the seven-acre vineyard is home to 12,000 vines, “The climate might be one of our challenges, but it’s something other with varietals now also including Chardonnay, Madeline Angevine, Phoenix, growers across the country have to deal with too,” said Jonathan. “I don’t Pinot meunier, Pinot noir, and Seyval blanc. think there is much difference between Yorkshire and the south, I think we “The Champagne varieties were added three years ago,” said Jonathan can all produce good quality fruit.” Yeo, who assists Ian in the winery and manages the vineyard day-to-day Having tended to the vines for six years now, Jonathan has noticed that with Adrian Scott. “We tested just two rows to see how they would grow up Laurel is usually around two weeks behind when it here and they did really well, so we planted more. They have taken slightly comes to harvest. Although improving longer to come on than expected but we hope to get a full crop from them summers and a changing next year.” climate has meant To better protect the newer planting (which sits further down the >> vineyard slope) from the prevailing easterly wind, a windbreak has been established and the team has already noticed a significant difference in site temperature and vine growth. This, did however, create a barrier for the ground frost that previously rolled through the site, but after developing his own remote-controlled fan-driven frost system, to date, the vines have not suffered any frost related damage.

"I had a strange notion that we could make wine here in Yorkshire"

21 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD EDITOR'S VISIT

> Adrian Scott and Jonathan Yeo << picking is getting earlier each year. Finding sufficient seasonal labour “Last year was a bit of an exception, but we started harvest around 20 September, which is the earliest we have ever been,” he said. “The 2018 is not an issue season was just excellent overall. The quality of the fruit was impressive and Despite there being some 20 vineyards spread across the county of we harvested around 17.5 tonnes of fruit, which is a record for us, although Yorkshire, with more new enterprises due to be planted in 2020, the first this does coincide with more vines coming online.” misconception which the team at Laurel Vines deals with is the ingrained While 2018 was glorious for growers nationwide, the wet and warm spells concept that it is simply impossible to grow vines this far north. plaguing the end of the 2019 season have been equally challenging for “One of the biggest things we notice is that the public always question how vineyard managers, regardless of region. it is possible to have a vineyard in Aike,” said Adrian Scott. “Even people in “The crop level is around 3/4 the size of last year, the quality is good but the next village, will dispute that there is one planted because no one really not as brilliant,” said Jonathan. “With cooler weather during flowering, we expects to find a vineyard in Yorkshire. The industry is growing, but in this have had some hens and chicks on the Rondo, but this is the first year we region especially there is a lot of surprise about English wine.” have seen it. We didn’t quite know what was wrong at first, because we are The public’s persistent disbelief over the existence of vines in Yorkshire is only used to seeing what we have seen before, but I believe other people not dampening the growing industry spirits, as once people do discover the have had similar issues too. There have been a lot of vineyards who have had vineyard, they quickly become thoroughly invested in the story. real problems with the rain this year and Botrytis has been a big worry, but These converted loyal supporters are often keen be involved too. Laurel everything seems on track so far.” Vines once again had people pestering for harvest dates to be released >>

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<< with many eager to sign up to be involved in this annual social and Alongside their vineyard duties, Jonathan and Adrian also play a key community event. role in the winery. As everything is done on site, from the growing, to the “Our picking days are always really well subscribed,” said Jonathan. “The winemaking, bottling and labelling, it is vital that every stage of the process is vineyard started life as a hobby and Adrian and I both started volunteering kept as simple and as time efficient as possible. here. That combined with the close-knit atmosphere in the village has meant With this in mind, the team has recently taken delivery of a shiny new that people have always wanted to come here to help. They enjoy it so much Massey Ferguson vineyard tractor, which is geared towards increased they tell their friends and family who all want to come along next year.” mechanisation in the vineyard. The winery has also been revamped and the Harvest is however an exception and through the rest of the year Laurel new facilities, benefiting from significant investment, have been carefully Vines is just a family operation. Ian and Rebekah, Ian’s daughter and designed and future-proofed by Ian. Jonathan’s partner, both balance their time between the family’s electrical “When we took delivery of the crossflow filtration system, we were told by business and Laurel Vines, and Ian’s wife, Ann, and brother, Neil, also get the supplier Romfil that it is probably the only one north of the Watford Gap,” involved when needed. On a day-to-day basis, the vineyard is managed said Jonathan. “It has been a game-changer. We can be getting on with so predominantly by Jonathan and Adrian. many other jobs while it is running and the membrane filter has also made “With the increasing number of vines, it is becoming increasingly difficult bottling more straightforward. Instead of having to change plate filters every to do everything ourselves,” said Jonathan. “We usually start pruning in few hours, we can bottle four varietals in four days and just rinse between. It December and aim to have everything finished in late March, but we are can also run as fast as you can physically bottle and that has saved us a lot normally a bit behind. We do also have a SEND college group who come to the of time.” vineyard once a week in term time to help with jobs like tying down.” Despite being miles away, there have never been any issues when it comes to working with suppliers. Four more variable capacity temperature-controlled Getting vineyard sundries and tanks are imminently making their way from Speidel in Germany to Aike. winery equipment delivered takes Devon-based winery equipment supplier Vigo was instrumental in helping Ian to establish the winery and the crossflow filter manufacturer, Romil, also no more effort travelled from Devon to Yorkshire several times to ensure that the machine Unlike most vineyards in the UK, Laurel Vines’ grapes only travel a few 100 was correctly installed and that the team were well accustomed to operating yards to the winery. Not only does this help the business boast a low carbon it. footprint, it also makes it easier for the team to control the whole process too. “We work with a big range of suppliers and don’t have many issues getting “As soon as it comes off the vine, fruit is in a tank within four hours,” said things here,” said Jonathan. “People seem to be more willing to work with us Jonathan. “The only time our wine leaves site is when it is sold. Ian likes to and it is getting quicker to order some items, such as corks and bottles. I think put his own stamp on everything he makes. We focus on producing single- this is partially to do with our expansion – we now need 10,000 corks instead of varietal wines and always try to let the raw taste of the vineyard come 1,000 – and I think as there are more vineyards in Yorkshire, and with Ian’s through. We also use as little sulphur as possible.” involvement in WineGB, we do seem to be a bit more on the map.” >>

25 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD The wines are proving their worth too

Following the bumper harvest last year, Laurel Vines produced 16,500 bottles of its single-varietal blends. All of Ian’s wines have successfully been through the PGI scheme, have won numerous awards and have been sought out by skilled sommeliers of Michelin-starred restaurants. Last year, for the second year in a row, Ian was awarded the trophy for the best commercial grower-winemaker of the year at the Mercian Vineyard Association (now called WineGB Midlands and North) annual awards and the estate’s 2017 Solaris, Ortega, Madeline Angevine and Phoenix wines all achieved silver, with a bronze for the 2017 Rondo rosé. The estate has also just bottled its first still red. The 2016 vintage, a 100% Rondo, has been maturing in French oak and the result is a silky and bold fruit driven offering. There is also a 2017, 80% Rondo 20% Pinot noir blend, in production and the 2018 vintage, a 90% Rondo 10% Pinot noir blend, "Laurel Vines has just been transferred boast a number in to oak. It will spend six to eight months of Michelin-star maturing before being bottled next year. outlets among its This vibrant selection of customers" wines has certainly started to draw interest and support from the Yorkshire trade, but this isn’t just the local pub stocking a local wine for the sake of locality. Laurel Vines boast a number of high-end restaurants and Michelin-star graded outlets among its regular customers. “We have received a lot of praise and support for our wines from the Pipe and Glass in Dalton, as well as Roots in York and the Black Swan at Oldstead,” said Ian. “Restaurants of this calibre will only take the wine if it is good enough. A few weeks ago, James and Tommy Banks, from Roots and the Black Swan, brought their entire team to the vineyard one afternoon. It is great for the people serving the wines to be able to say they have seen the vines and have tasted new vintages from barrel.” There is certainly plenty of market space to share among the Yorkshire producers and encouragingly many of the Aike-producer’s trade customers are also keen to promote the estate’s wines by the glass. Allowing people to try a glass without having to commit to the whole bottle is proving fruitful and the team have noticed that trade customers who sell by the glass tend to order around three times more than those who only sell by the bottle. If there is nothing stopping producers growing grapes, making quality wines or gaining recognition from Michelin-star restaurants, EDITOR'S VISIT

what then is putting northern viticulturists and the hard way. owner, and chairman of WineGB Midlands and winemakers at a significant disadvantage in “I am still really interested in completing North, Ian Sargent has become increasingly comparison to their southern counterparts? the Viticulture and Oenology BSc course at determined to find a solution to. Plumpton College but I need to find a way “Education is the biggest factor holding the The main challenge which will enable me to carry on working here county’s wine industry back,” said Ian. “In my northern producers full time while studying,” said Jonathan. “We other business, I have meetings with people live in an age where technology should make from all over the world. Communication is no face is education distance learning more than possible, but I longer the issue. Education should be available There is just one wine education ‘centre was still required to travel to Brighton once or to all the UK’s wine regions, whether that is of excellence’ in the UK. Its list of alumni is twice a week. There was no compromise to be delivered via the internet, or perhaps from new enviable, and few UK wine industry trailblazers had and in the end the college was unable to wine centres.” have not graced its hallways at some point. accommodate a student this far north.” Looking to the future, Ian has had a number But its rural West Sussex location creates a Although the majority of the UK’s vines are of positive meetings with the college and hopes logistical nightmare for those in the Midlands or located in the South East, there are people all that viticulture and oenology training and North regions. It is nigh on impossible for any over the country who want to learn more about education opportunities, be that in the form potential student to consider enrolling on its grape growing and winemaking. Fortunately of WineSkills workshops and or full degree courses without having to also consider upping for the industry, the education conundrum has courses, will soon be possible on a more equal sticks. This is something which Jonathan learnt since become a subject which Laurel Vines’ regional and local scale.

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Yawn, contract winemaking. Surely this is one of the dullest sectors of our industry? But no – it is a vibrant and vital division of the English and Welsh wine scene and there is a liberal dusting of stardust in the air making some of these hook-ups more than magical partnerships. Opposite, I have picked three wines which are catnip to ‘homeless’ grape growers. This is not an article about rosés, but I have intentionally chosen this style because it is the most technically challenging of all sparkling wine styles in our land. If you own a vineyard and have a strong desire to design and sell your own brand, but you do not want the stress and expenditure of setting up your own winery, then you need to find a skilful partner. If you buy and drink each of the wines opposite, they are the liquid business cards of each of their respective winemakers, These symbiotic relationships, along with the mutual respect which is critical to management, support staff and winemaking equipment. arrangement, clearly encourages those involved to grow better fruit at the same I will admit a modicum of bias here, as I have known Emma Rice for a time as allowing the winemaker to make finer wine. very long time and I have followed her career from working for Domaine Obviously, pure contract winemaking is a one-way street, but fruit-swopping and Direct, an elite Burgundy importer, via her move into winemaking and all of then collaborating along the path of making a wine is extremely exciting. While the way up to the current day where she makes no less than 60 wines for her some clients simply drop off grapes and then wait a few years for clean-skin, or own brand Hattingley Valley and hosts of others, too. labelled bottles, to be sent back to them, others get involved in blending, dosage Emma sees every grape from 21 different vineyards turn up at her winery trials – the whole nine yards. door and she decides what to do with them and where they will end up. This Emma lets her growers know what is possible, when she assesses their fruit, is multidimensional skill of extremely high-level vinous intellect. On the one and also what is not and then they work together to make the best wines they can. hand, smaller, often fledgling, brands can subtly use Emma (and therefore She is not alone. Simon Roberts at Ridgeview and Dermot Sugrue are the other two Hattingley’s) name to underline the gravitas of their wine when it comes people whose many wines are featured on the facing page and who wouldn’t want to their own marketing, but on the other hand, Emma’s own wines directly these massively talented chaps making your wines? benefit from top quality fruit as the barter system of ‘we will take some of Contract winemaking is not only a contract but a commitment, a relationship, a your grapes in return for making your wine’, allows Hattingley to grow their mutual respect mechanism which benefits both parties, and ultimately the most market share, while using great raw materials, without having to buy more powerful way to improve the quality, year on year, of an impressively large number vineyards. of wines in our country.

Tailored Searches for Vineyard Land across Kent & Sussex

Sales, Site Searches & Acquisitions Canterbury Valuations of Vineyards & Wineries 01227 763663 Grower Contracts & Joint Ventures Challock Agriculture & Viticulture Employment Advice 01233 740077 Heathfield 01435 864455 www.btfpartnership.co.uk 28 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD MATTHEW JUKES NV Fitzrovia Rosé Ridgeview, Sussex

My featured wine is one of the most alluring Approx £35.00 My third rosé is Wiston’s non-vintage wine and controlled rosés in the country. The nose www.ridgeview.co.uk which, curiously, I favour over their own is hypnotic and the texture is silky and long. www.waitrosecellar.com vintage version! This is because I like light- It is everything you could possibly want and it www.butlers-winecellar.co.uk hearted, bright, generous rosé and I do not is clearly everything that the following list of www.theenglishwinecollection.co.uk necessarily need this wine style to wine brands also admires. make the long haul. It was immense fun talking to Emma about these Wiston’s cheeky, early-drinking estates because she couldn’t help herself blurting As well as the imperious Marksman label rosé manages to gather gravitas and out just how much she loves the fruit coming in at M&S along with The Wine Society’s and palate depth while not overstepping from some of these vineyards. Booths’ own label sparklers, which I have the mark on weight or power. This is This further underlines how featured in this column before, Simon Roberts very clever indeed. Dermot Sugrue is passionate and involved she is makes sparkling wines for Beacon Down, the wizard behind (or, more often, in with bringing her clients’ wines Castle Brook Vineyard and Tinwood Estate, front of) the scene. alive. Ridgeview’s larger partnership vineyard. Along with the handsome Wiston Here is a list of the hall of fame I have followed Ridgeview’s portfolio he makes Ashling Park, of brands which passes through progress since they burst onto Black Dog Hill, East Meon, English Hattingley Valley’s winery and, the wine scene twenty years Oak Vineyard, Jenkyn Place while some of these are not ago and I see refinement as Vineyard, Malthouse Estate, yet on the market, these are every single year passes in Oastbrook Estate, Southlands all names to look out for – their wines. It is remarkable Valley Vineyard, Woodchurch, Raimes, Alder Ridge, High that this is possible, but not Digby Fine English and also Clandon, Laverstoke, All surprising when you consider Dermot’s own elite brand Angels, Roebuck Estate, how meticulous the teams are Sugrue, which includes my Louis Pommery England, in every department of this highest scoring English wine Priors Dean, Winding inspirational company. to date, Sugrue ‘Cuvée Dr Wood, Southcott, Fitzrovia was a wine which Brendan O’Regan’. Wiston Cottonworth (a huge I would normally skip past also disgorges the Breaky favourite of mine, too), heading for their Blanc Bottom sparklers, too. This Heppington Vineyard, de Noirs – usually my list features hobby estates The Grange, Bath favourite wine. But in and powerhouse brands and Sparkling. Past alumni the last few years, it is to Wiston’s and Dermot’s include Black Chalk, this has become one credit that they all retain their Court Garden and also of the most riveting character and typicity in the glass. Bravo. Blackdown Ridge. Phew. rosés in the UK and that is down to extraordinary hard NV Cuvée Rosé, South Downs 2015 Rosé work and impeccable Wiston, Sussex Hattingley Valley, Hampshire taste. I also love the Approx. £27.00 Approx £36.00 way that their tell-tale www.wistonestate.com www.hattingleyvalley.com rosehip notes are still www.swig.co.uk www.greatwesternwine.co.uk present in the glass – www.harveynichols.com the nose alone gives www.harveynichols.com www.butlers-winecellar.co.uk me goose bumps! www.waitrosecellar.com www.henningswine.co.uk

Enjoyed reading this VINE fo r vitic ultur ists in G rea t Br itain YARD ™

™ ain rit at B re

ists in G edition of Vineyard? ur t ul itic r v fo YARD Why not subscribe for the year? VINE £40 for 12 editions Overseas subscriptions - £100 for 12 editions Visit www.vineyardmagazine.co.uk/subscribe ark C WINEMAKING M rum p to n CO2 in wine

Measuring carbon dioxide can be tricky but important to monitor during the winemaking and bottling process.

The level of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) in wine has a significant sensory impact. In

general, CO2 enhances freshness and acidity perceptions, decreases sweetness, intensifies This key parameter is affected by temperature bitterness and astringency and can lead to and composition of the liquid medium.

prickliness. Depending on the wine, too little Therefore, the amount of CO2 that will be

CO2 can make white wines flat and too much present in the liquid at a given pressure (for can make reds harsh and tannic. example atmospheric pressure) will change It is therefore very important for winemakers depending on the temperature and the type

to manage CO2 in order to guarantee the right of liquid. Temperature has a big effect on the

concentrations in their wines. However, one solubility. When temperature rises, CO2 becomes needs to remember that it is always difficult to less soluble. Alcohol and sugars content have

manage gas in wine especially when (like in the also an impact, by decreasing the amount of CO2

case of CO2) the measuring devices are neither being dissolved (Figure 1).

very accurate nor easy to use. People are also of a gas in a specific liquid is measured as the CO2 can also be hydrated by water to form

quite unsure on how CO2 can be protected when saturation concentration. Henry’s law is used carbonic acid (H2CO3), which is a weak acid,

wine is bottled. to quantify the solubility of gases. The solubility but the reaction is in favour of the CO2 form

of a gas in a liquid is directly proportional to the and, because of the wine pH range, the H2CO3 CO2 in wine partial pressure of that gas above the liquid. This formed is not being able to dissociate in CO2 is a gas naturally produced by yeast during relationship is written as: hydrogenocarbonate (HCO3-).

fermentation and as all gases, has the ability to Pco = Hco ·C where Pco is the partial pressure As air contains a small amount of CO2

dissolve into liquids. CO2 is more soluble in wine of oxygen, C is the concentration, and Hco is the (~0.03%), the CO2 content in wine tends to than oxygen (around 40 times more). The solubility solubility constant, also known as Henry’s constant. decrease over time during the winemaking process but also during storage until an equilibrium with air is reached (around 0.5mg/L

of dissolved CO2 in the wine). 3.5 Measuring CO2 in wine 3 Measuring the CO2 dissolved in wine remains challenging, although some methods have been 2.5 developed. The OIV (International Organisation of Vine and

Wine) proposes two methods to measure CO2 in 2 wine. WaterThe first one is based on pH titration. The 1.5 Winesample (13%) of wine is fixed to pH 10 - 11 and then titrated with a standard acid solution. The carbon solubility (g/L) 2 1 Mustdioxide (200g/L) content is calculated from the volume

CO of acid needed to change the pH from pH 8.6 to

4, which corresponds to the area in which CO2 3.5 0.5 is converted from the bicarbonate to carbonic acid form. A degassed blank is done the same 3 0 way to take the titration of other acids present 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 in the wine into account and correct the results 2.5 accordingly. Temperature (°C) The second method is based on pressure 2 > Figure 1: Effect of temperature on Water release and monitoring. Sodium hydroxide is 1.5 CO2 solubility of different liquids added in the sample to bind the CO2. The wine Wine (13%) is put in a flask connected to a manometer solubility (g/L) 2 1 Must (200g/L) and the CO2 is released with sulfuric acid. The CO resulting pressure increase is then measured and 300.5 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Temperature (°C) WINEMAKING

inner closure and 2% for a screw cap (Figure 2). If CYLINDRICAL CLOSURE SCREWCAP the headspace is inerted with CO2, diffusion of CO2 CO2 at bottling in wine (mg/L) 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 from the headspace into the wine could occur, but

Headspace management Vacuum CO2 Nothing CO2 the increase of dissolved CO2 due to this process is somewhat negligible. Volume headspace (mL) 5 5 15 15 During bottle storage, due to the higher partial

Temperature (°C) 17 17 17 17 pressure of CO2 in the bottle compared to ambient

CO2 in wine at equilibrium (mg/L) 993 1,005 978 1,014 air, loss of CO2 over time is commonly observed. This loss will be regulated by the closure through > Figure 2: Effect of headspace management on dissolved CO2 (750 mL bottle) its specific permeability. As in the case of oxygen permeability (OTR), closures have a carbon dioxide compared to a calibration curve. due to mixing of the wine with the air present in permeability, which can be expressed as carbon

Unfortunately, these two reference methods are the piping and filter, resulting in CO2 migration dioxide transmission rate (CO2TR). only suitable for laboratories and are not really from the wine into the air. At the same time, the Temperature can affect the CO2 loss over time. accessible for wineries. last volumes of wines being bottled are also The CO2TR is dependent on the CO2 gradient,

In wineries, the “carbodoser”, a cheap and easy- exposed to higher CO2 loss, as this is the wine which is, in this case, driven by the CO2 pressure to-use device, is probably the most widely spread. that remains in the tank longer and therefore in the bottle. A lower temperature increases the

Wine (100 mL) sampled in a graduated cylinder more in contact with air. CO2 solubility in the wine and so decreases the CO2 is shaken to degas the CO2. The shrunken wine So, if no care is taken, the first and last hundred pressure in the bottle. As a consequence, at lower volume and temperature are then measured and bottles (according to the size of the line) of the temperature, loss of CO2 will be slower. a handy chart translates the result into milligrams process will contain more oxygen and less CO2. per litre. The main drawback of this method is its To limit this phenomenon, the use of inert gas Conclusion poor accuracy (+/- 100 mg/L) which is too low to is necessary. Especially in whites and rosés, the Managing CO2 in wine is key to wine quality guarantee good CO2 management in wineries. use of a 50% CO2/50%N2 mixed gas is a good but remains very challenging. In fact the Another common measurement technique is the solution. challenges are linked to the lack of easy-

Pressure/Temperature method. A specific volume After bottling, CO2 pressures will reach an to-use and accurate methods to measure CO2 of wine is entrapped in a chamber and the equilibrium between dissolved and headspace. If in wineries when winemakers have to make system forces the CO2 equilibrium between the no CO2 is used to inert the headspace, some CO2 quick decisions while preparing the wines for wine and the air. Thanks to the higher solubility from the wine will migrate to the headspace. As bottling. If the right CO2 target can be reached of CO2 compared to those of O2 and N2, CO2 will the headspace represents a small volume, the before bottling, then good bottling practices increase the total pressure measured, allowing decrease of dissolved CO2 remains rather small. and the closure choice can impact the level of the CO2 measurement. This decrease accounts for 1% in a case of an consistency from one bottle to another. Another technique on the market is the thermal conductivity (TC). In fact thermal conductivity of CO2 is much lower than the one of O2 and N2, and can be measured by creating a 1°C difference between two surfaces. This measurement has to be done in a gas phase, so a specific diffusion membrane separates the wine from the TC detector. Nitrogen is used to purge the detector between two measurements. Calibration has to be carried out very often. As a conclusion, we can say that the wine industry is still after an affordable technology that would allow for accurate CO2 measurement in an easy set-up.

CO2 in the bottle Before bottling, the amount of CO2 dissolved in wine is adjusted, but bottling and then bottle ageing will affect CO2 concentration. During bottling, the wine is moved from the tank into the bottle, which can potentially involve contact with air and therefore loss of CO2. The filling of the bottle is the main step where

CO2 will escape from wine during bottling, with greater losses occurring at beginning and end of the bottling run, as in the case of oxygen. Bottles coming out early can potentially have less CO2

 www.BruniErben.co.uk  07805 081677 paper-plane,[email protected] 31 HUTCHINSONS Providing grape protection

The crop protection specialists proudly supporting vineyards across the entire UK.

Since being founded in 1938, crop production specialists Hutchinsons to traditional method sparkling with the classic trio. Growing systems are has grown from an operation serving fruit growers in the Wisbech area of different, technology is more advanced, and the management is better Cambridgeshire, to one of the nation’s leading agricultural and horticultural informed with many having studied on viticultural courses and workshops. input advice and supply companies. Most notable within this evolution is the expanding area under vine, which Today, brothers David and Mike Hutchinson continue to play an active role has increased by 82% since 2015. By comparison to the 3.9 million hectares in the family-owned business which celebrated its 80th anniversary last year. of arable crops grown in England in 2019, the UK’s 3,000 hectares of vines Driven by a modern, forward-thinking approach, the Hutchinsons and their might seem just a tiny drop in a very large agricultural ocean, but for the dedicated, 450-strong team are committed to providing the best agronomy horticultural team at Hutchinsons grapes continue to be one of the firm’s and crop protection advice, products and services to growers of all crops most interesting and valued crops. across the entire UK, from Aberdeen to Truro. “It is very exciting to see so many people planting vines and starting their Well-known for its unfaltering support of even the most rarely planted and journey into the viticulture sector,” said Mike Hutchinson, horticulture director emerging crops types, Hutchinsons is a leading light in the UK’s flourishing at Hutchinsons. “We want to be the number one provider of agronomy, viticultural scene, with its specialist agronomists advising vineyards of all inputs and services to the vineyard sector. We have always been passionate sizes, on all aspects of grape growing from site selection to strategic pest and about working with niche crops and consider ourselves to already be in that disease management programmes. position with other minor crops, such as blackcurrants and hops. Regardless With a busy sundries department, Hutchinsons is also able to provide of whether there are hundreds, or thousands of acres planted, all growers are vineyard managers with a range of essentials and, to complete the grape to extremely important to us.” glass journey, sister company, Producing Packaging, is also on hand with its With the expansion of plantings testament to the popularity and interest extensive box-making expertise to ensure that English and Welsh wines reach surrounding English and Welsh wines, the distance between neighbouring consumers in the most pristine conditions. sites is undoubtedly shrinking and once isolated growers have started to notice increasing disease and pest pressures. Expanding plantings “Vines are currently following a similar pattern to blueberries which took Grapes are not a new crop for Hutchinsons, and in fact the team is now off very rapidly in the UK about 10 years ago,” said Mike. “When a crop is proud to be building relationships with many second-generation viticulturists. planted initially, there is almost a pest and disease holiday because there Chris Cooper, Hutchinsons’ agronomist looking after growers in the South and are hundreds of miles between sites. As we progress to several West regions, remembers dabbling with home-made wine and ‘popping up million vines in the ground, diseases the valley’ in Devon in the 1980s to talk about viticulture with Gillian Pearkes, inevitably find it easier to one of the doyennes of UK viticulture. There has, however, been a tremendous change in the sector in the last few years. Focus has shifted from producing still whites with Germanic varietals

 www.hlhltd.co.uk paper-plane [email protected]  07879 694520 paper-plane [email protected]  07899 978207 32 spread. It also becomes more challenging to contain pests, such as Light Brown Apple Moth or European Vine Moth. Nature is very unpredictable. Everyone is learning together, and our team is here to help vineyard owners and managers to understand how to grow and better protect their grapes.” Adopting a vigilant approach to crop monitoring and protection is vital to ensuring that fruit survives in top quality condition right up until harvest. Whether novice or expert, having the support of a skilled and specialist agronomist, who not only knows your site but who also has a real-time overview of pest and disease pressures in the surrounding region, is invaluable. What is good agronomy? It is a myth that you can plant a vineyard on a commercial scale and, left to its own devices, it will grow and thrive. It is also a myth that agronomists are a second line of defence; someone to call after the problems have started appearing. Good agronomy really starts before the vines have even been grafted. “Site selection is vital for the long-term success and, more importantly, viability of the enterprise,” said Rob. “We have advised countless fruit growers on whether sites are suitable for vines, but for some reason people coming into viticulture from other careers, don’t always think to approach an agronomist first. We would prefer to start talking to clients before they have a crop in the ground because we will have a good idea of the local region and the individual issues they are likely to experience on their estate.” As well as having a good eye for the land, the team at Hutchinsons can also advise on which varietals are likely to match the site, the growers’ capabilities and any end product expectations. “If you have your heart set on making traditional method sparkling with the Champagne trio, then you need to be aware that the Pinots are more

>> for viticulturists in Great Britain ™ VINEYARD The independent monthly publication dedicated to viticulture and wine making in Great Britain SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY £40 A YEAR RECEIVE YOUR COPY FIRST CLASS STRAIGHT TO YOUR DOOR @VineyardMagGB www.vineyardmagazine.co.uk 01303 233880 33 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD HUTCHINSONS

<< susceptible to mildew than hybrid varieties,” said Chris Cooper. “Having mantle. Chris joined Hutchinsons in the early 2000s, moving back to the West said that, a grower cannot simply choose varieties like Solaris or Rondo just Country to service growers in that region. because they are more robust and less disease prone. You need to consider While in Kent, Chris lived just a few hundred yards away from Rob what wine you are trying to make, where this will be sold and what style Saunders, who was an assistant manager of a fruit farm at the time. They your target market will be open to. If you decide you need to grow a more became friends and Chris introduced Rob to the idea of becoming an susceptible cultivar to produce the right wines, then you should be willing to agronomist. Rob spent several years working as an agronomist in Kent, where do everything possible to control the diseases, or risk losing the crop.” he first became involved in viticulture in a small way, before an opportunity For those preparing to plant a vineyard, this summer Hutchinsons launched came up to join GlaxoSmithKline to look after the blackcurrants for Ribena. a new soil mapping service called TerraMap. This high definition soil scanning After the brand was sold to another company Rob decided to join Hutchinsons system is capable of recording over 800 data points per hectare to produce and has been taking a special interest in the viticultural scene since 2014. over 21 different field layers. The machine measures naturally-emitting “There are many interesting parallels between blackcurrants and grapes,” gamma radiation from the soil to calculate all common nutrient properties, said Rob. “Both crops share a public enemy number one, botrytis; if you put pH, soil texture, organic matter and CEC as well as elevation and plant on too much nitrogen the party is over; and the key aim is to make a good available water. drink at the end. Richard Smart had it right when he titled his book ‘Sunlight “This new technology allows growers to thoroughly understand sites and into Wine’ and in both crops you are trying to manage a canopy to capture soils before planting,” said Mike. “By linking this data to our Omnia platform, enough sunlight to get good sugar levels.” agronomists and growers can make the most of precision technology, such as Managing the canopy throughout the season can be particularly tricky in the variable rate spreaders which will apply very specific amounts of fertiliser in UK, where sites are often much wetter than other traditional grape growing exactly the right place. It is about optimising your inputs and ensuring that the regions and where fertile soils promote overly vigorous vines. land is well balanced before you even plant the vines.” “As well as keeping the canopy in an excellent condition, growers will also The TerraMap system can also be used in an already established vineyard need to manage the vines in such a way as to keep botrytis at bay while fruit to monitor the soil’s changing nutritional status over time and it is also useful is still ripening into October,” said Rob. “It is a significant challenge because, in solving previously unexplained factors, for instance if there is a peculiar by definition, a cool climate wine is one where the grapes are ripening at the corner in a vineyard where the vines aren’t growing or are struggling. same time as the canopy is declining. This is why so many winemakers say Once planted, it is advisable that anyone who has established over an acre that wine is really made in the vineyard.” has some formal viticultural training with an education provider to ensure As well as being able to draw on his 14 years’ experience that they have a good idea of what basic diseases and pest damage look like. in blackcurrants, Rob heads up an Recently, Chris and Rob have also helped membership organisation WineGB Innovative to produce a booklet of common diseases which can be used in the field. “If growers have a good idea of what pest or disease they might be up against, then it is just a case of asking the right people how to deal with it,” said Chris. What is a good agronomist? One of the defining features of Hutchinsons’ viticultural offering is the team’s knowledge across a range of crops and an unmatched level of communication, both between agronomists and with their growers. After developing an interest in vines while studying applied biology and crop protection, Chris Cooper moved to Kent where he shadowed the viticultural specialist at Heath Horticulture until they retired and Chris took on that 34 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD TREE - FIX FOR TYING YOUR VINES

Farmers hop soils project, which focuses on improving soil health and looking at how soil health can be improved with winter cover cropping, and as the chair of the AHDB tree fruit panel he has been involved in extensive research into SWD in cherries. “We have learnt a lot by looking at cherries as a lead crop and I have “THE ORIGINAL” been able to apply this knowledge to grapes,” said Rob. “For instance, we • Important savings on Labour found that red traps are more attractive to SWD, so it is easy to see why red grapes are more at risk. Then by looking at the cherry varieties which • Lifetime Durability are favoured by the females, which saw a hole in the skin to lay eggs, it • Re-adjustable over years becomes clear that grapes with thin skins will be more at risk than those with thicker ones.” • 25+ years experience Alongside Rob, the entire team at Hutchinsons, continue to work across = your quality guarantee other similar crops, such as hops, allowing for a powerful cross fertilisation of ideas and the ability to adapt protection principles from one crop to another. “We have enough of an involvement in viticulture to know the industry inside and out, but having a wider horticultural view and previous experience of managing canopies and botrytis on an industrial scale is very beneficial,” said Rob. “Chris is also very knowledgeable when it comes to products and approvals and he is incredibly skilled at looking at what might be working well on other crops and applying them to vines. For instance, if there is something particularly effective in fighting downy mildew in hops, we can see if it will also apply to vines.” This wider understanding is further strengthened and utilised as knowledge is continuously shared between members of the team via a very active group discussion where photographs of key phenological stages, diseases, pests and weeds, along with new ideas and questions are exchanged on an almost daily basis. >>

Tying up has never been so fast and easy.

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<< “Each grower has access to their own while those who understand what the relevant agronomist and we are there to develop a one diseases and pest damage looks like might not to one relationship,” said Chris, “but when we need someone to come out that often, but will arrive at the vineyard, the grower is also tapping need occasional help with strategy and benefit into a much larger bank of information and from catching up with someone who has a more experience. It is impossible for any one person to regional insight. know everything about a crop and this sharing The team is also there to share understanding ethos is a real strength for the entire Hutchinsons and knowledge about current legislation, product horticultural division.” status and any changes. It is very easy for growers Pooling the team’s experiences is also a good operating in a vacuum to try and implement the way to break down geographical boundaries as same regime or spray programme as last year, but Chris covers North Wales to South Cornwall, Rob a product might no longer be approved, or there covers the South East and John Chapman looks might be something else now available which is after growers across East Anglia. stronger or has a better anti resistant strategy and > Chris Williams “Problems often migrate and for the vineyards a good agronomist can advise on this. which might be very isolated, if their agronomist is aware of what’s happening elsewhere, it is Future of chemicals possible to get a head start on issues,” said Mike No one is more skilled on this topic than Chris Hutchinson. “If everyone else has already started Cooper. In support of the wider industry, Chris thinking about strategies, you can have the radar is a member of the WineGB viticulture advisory on the pest or disease and when it does get to working group, and is also the membership you, you will have the benefit of learning from organisation’s technical support officer, looking other vineyards via your agronomist.” after its ‘Green Book’ resource which lists all crop As well as keeping in touch with each other, protection products available to grape growers, every month the Hutchinsons viticulture team write their terms of use and status. an essential agronomy diary for Vineyard Magazine “In my role at WineGB, I endeavour to help to keep growers abreast of what’s changing and get plant protection approvals for use within what’s going on. During the growing season, the the vineyard and I keep members updated with team also produce a newsletter which is sent out new developments in legislation,” said Chris. to current customers. In this, Chris, Rob and John “As the vineyard area in the UK increases it is > Rob Saunders discuss what has been seen, as well as what getting slightly easier to secure approval for use growers should be expecting to see, and overall in grapevines. Manufacturers and distributors advice for how to mitigate and overcome any see opportunity in this growing sector and are potential problems. therefore more willing to invest in acquiring the UK specific data CRD needs to get a product Services for growers through the approval system.” On a most basic level, the viticulture team at Once in place, EAMUs last as long as the UK Hutchinsons provide its growers with advice approval lasts, but as the off-label process is on pests, disease and nutrition, and prescribe often tricky and time consuming, to avoid this, relevant products which can help solve issues Hutchinsons is currently in discussions with and protect fruit. However, there is far more to it companies about getting full label approvals for than that. products. “We are here to provide our growers with an While a lot of growers feel that there are only overview and a real-time intelligence into what is a small number of chemicals available in their going on with the crop in their vineyard and the arsenal, and these are mostly only available on wider area,” said Rob. “Then we can provide a EAMUs, there are also an increasing number of > Chris Cooper strategic view and suggest what is the best way growers looking to move away from traditional to deploy the tools available to the grower. A lot chemistry altogether. of that is esoteric and there are not many people “We need to have a robust enough toolkit to the grower can have a sensible conversation cope effectively with disease and pest pressures with about the right sequence in which to but we also need to deliver the crop without go about something to get the best results. any unnecessary or unforeseen consequences Although vineyard managers should have a good to the wider environment,” said Mike. “A lot understanding of what they need to do next in the of people coming into viticulture are keen to vineyard, it is often useful for them, to talk about reduce the amount of chemicals and pesticides what they are up to and so we also act as a bit of and we sympathise with growers who want a sounding board.” to do the right thing and want to be as soft as As different growers have different needs, possible when it comes to crop protection. We the number and frequency of on-site visits will have been actively trying to develop biorationals, vary drastically. Those who are growing on a non-pesticidal crop protection, and crop health commercial scale and rely on that crop to make strengthening products. We are entering a very > Mike Hutchinson a living, may see someone on a fortnightly basis, exciting new era where there will be a lot of 36 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD opportunity to manage the spray programme sustainability and believes that the key to this is and there are plenty of proven links between with softer materials which don’t have some of not for the UK viticulture sector to stop spraying disease and nutrition, such as the impact calcium the same concerns which growers have about but to find better, softer ways to increase in feeding has on reducing botrytis susceptibility. conventional chemistry.” yields and keep fruit healthy until harvest. Then there are new materials, which can switch Now on offer to growers looking to adopt a “Sustainability boils down to efficiency of on the plant’s own defence system.” more holistic approach is a range of products resource use and one of the resources we utilise The idea that a plant can be forced to trigger including: biostimulants, which help the plant to is land,” said Rob. “If you take land away to plant its own defence mechanisms against a disease strengthen its immune system to resist attack; a vineyard, and you only produce one tonne might seem like something out of a science biologically derived products, which attack pests per acre, then that is a grotesquely inefficient fiction novel. This concept is not new and has and diseases; and physical products such as use of a resource. When we are talking about been talked about in woolly terms for years. netting to prevent birds, and biofilm to better sustainability and minimising environmental Today, however, the science is catching up and manage weeds. impact, we should all be aiming to grow three more proven products are making their way on to Having studied the environment for his tonnes per acre. The first way to do this is with the shelves, with one key example being the Masters degree, Rob is very passionate about good nutrition. A healthy plant is more resistant biofungicide FytoSave®. >>

It takes teamwork Our fruit team are a great bunch. They’re here to help you and your to grow advisor grow superb crops. See the team on the web: you’ll be able to consult not just your nearest technical great vines. manager, but people in other key areas. It’s all part of Bayer’s commitment to horticulture, with serious investment and dedicated support. Try us.

With you from start to finish www.cropscience.bayer.co.uk/horti-team Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Pay attention to the risk indications and follow the safety precautions on the label. For further information, please visit www.cropscience. bayer.co.uk or call 0808 1969522. © Bayer CropScience Limited 2019. 37 inyrddindd OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD HUTCHINSONS

<< An efficient and sustainable solution against powdery mildew gets to forecasting model, and because they are relatively inexpensive, growers can work when the active substance in FytoSave is recognised by membrane have them situated in every shady hollow, or hot spot, or corner of every receptors of the plant cell. Once detected, a biochemical signal is spread vineyard. It can help to provide intelligence of what is going on in the vineyard throughout the plant which sets off different defence mechanisms. As and we think that this will help many growers to improve the job they are everything is happening within the plant, this also means that FytoSave is already doing.” unaffected by rain. “There is also a new product called CBL which contains flavonoids derived Finding new suppliers from orange,” said Rob. “These appear to switch on the plant’s immune Many essential products, such as the bio-degradable bio-film to protect system as well as affecting the roots, helping them to pick up nutrients from against weeds, have been carefully researched and sourced by Hutchinsons’ the soil. In using a programme of CBL application, growers can improve the sundries manager Chris William. health and vigour of the plant, by improving the plant’s access to nutrients Based from the firm’s Canterbury depot, Chris joined the team 18 months in the soil. It is also thought to act against powdery mildew as during trials, ago and has been drawing on his 26 years’ experience within the horticultural Angela Berry at NIAB EMR found lower levels of powdery mildew where CBL sector to build and develop an offering of 400 products. Supporting had been used.” viticulturists throughout the entire growing season, the range encompasses everything from harvesting scissors, to metal posts, wires and clips, pruning New technology secateurs and tying down wire. Developments are not just taking place within crop protection sprays; “For decades Hutchinsons has been well-known for providing quality advice Hutchinsons has seen much success with garlic paints, which seem to do just and now we are also able to provide quality tools which vineyard managers as good a job at sealing pruning cuts as manufactured wound protectors, and need to grow profitable crops,” said Chris. “I have been finding new suppliers the firm is now offering bio-degradable films to protect against weeds. from across the globe and we have been slowly expanding our offering. While “The biofilm has a lifespan of around 18 months to two years before it the range will continue to grow to meet growers’ demands, we will release a degrades into starch,” said Chris. “When used among newly planted vines catalogue in early 2020 detailing everything we can supply.” it will supresses the weeds allowing the vines to better establish without As well as the launch of a comprehensive catalogue, the sundries team competition which can set them back in the early years. When the biofilm is also trialling a Spanish manufactured set of electronic secateurs and is does break down, the vineyard is left with a lovely soil surface with which expecting to have these available for the 2020 pruning season. growers can sow wild flower seed, fertiliser, or whatever is best for their site.” “We have a good relationship with Altuna and its mechanical pruners are The team is also able to help growers adapt to new technologies, such as certainly performing well in the field,” said Chris. “Looking at the battery life, weather stations, where the outputs can raise as many questions for growers comfort and usability, the battery-operated backpack system is showing good as they answer. results across the board.” “There is little point harvesting weather data if you don’t know what it Currently growers can purchase and collect a range of sundries from the means,” said Rob. “We will often sit down with growers and can help them to Canterbury, Ledbury and Marden depots and those further afield can take work out what the weather station is telling them. By turning that information advantage of Hutchinsons’ own fleet of delivery vehicles. into knowledge we can then inform strategy. I see a lot of Pessel units in “We aim to offer a more customised service than the larger suppliers and can vineyards and Pessel UK has recently launched a system called iMETOS deal with vineyards and orders of all sizes,” said Chris. “If a grower needs to LoRAIN. This system acts a bit like Wi-Fi and unlocks the ability to deploy a replace a few posts, or wants to plant just a couple of rows, we are here to help. range of sensors around the vineyard. These sensors can include relatively Equally, if a grower needs something urgently, depending on the product, we can cheap weather stations which generate enough data to drive a good disease respond rapidly and can use our own vehicles to get products shipped overnight.”

38 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD Practical box solution said Jeremy. “If enhancing a brand, The support available to growers from the it needs to be attractive and convey Hutchinsons team does not stop once the grapes the qualities of the producer, or if have been harvested. Its subsidiary company it is simply for delivery it needs to Produce Packaging can supply wine producers with a be practical. These are not mutually full range of recyclable, attractive and practical boxes. exclusive of course.” Based from its head office in Marden, Kent, With sustainability hot on the agenda, Produce Packaging has been supplying fruit growers all Produce Packaging’s boxes are in the South East with recyclable, biodegradable and made from 100% recycled materials compostable packaging specifically designed for the and even if you are having varnishes, fresh food industry for many decades. embossing or gold leaf as part of the In 1993 Hutchinsons purchased Produce Packaging. design, all boxes are 100% recyclable. As well as helping the East Anglian agronomy company to “As long as producers are not wanting expand its reach into the ‘Garden of England’, there was an their boxes to be waterproofed with polythene appealing synergy between the two firms and Hutchinsons was finally able laminate, all our boxes, from the plainer transit to offer crop packaging solutions to its growers in the East Anglian area and options to the elaborate and colourful gift packs, will be fully recyclable,” said beyond. Jeremy. “As well as the boxes, the inserts which protect the bottles are made Distributed nationwide from its four depots, Produce Packaging now also from a moulded fibre, paper pulp. This pulp is made from recycled sources provides English and Welsh wine producers with one, two, three, six and 12 and can be recycled too, unlike polystyrene chips or inflatable pockets.” bottle boxes. Having various manufacturing partners means that the team can Regardless of which sector you are operating in, branding can be the create bespoke boxes with windows, inserts and dividers. difference between an easily forgotten product and one which is sought out “Concepts are only limited by the producers’ imagination as we are here to time and time again. translate that into a feasible and practical box solution,” said Jeremy Sharp “If a customer has purchased from a specific brand, they will be expecting of Produce Packaging. “We have decades of experience in making cases and their package to represent that brand,” said Jeremy. “However, producers boxes for fruit growers so they can transport and display their fresh produce. often worry about wine packages going missing when being delivered As vineyards were becoming increasingly prevalent in our home territory, by a courier. A non-descript brown box can alleviate the external interest, Kent, it seemed natural for Produce Packaging to extend its offering to the but inside that plain transit packaging you still need to have quality brand viticulture industry and to offer a full range of branded and transportable wine packaging which the customer is expecting to see. Those shipping individual bottle boxes and gift packs to English and Welsh wine producers.” bottles via couriers, will also need to think about the level of protection the Branded boxes range in material from single layer brown corrugate, packaging offers. Our moulded fibre inserts completely envelop the bottle and normally used for transit, to solid board material, which can be used for we can also work with producers to do an entirely bespoke insert.” elaborate designs and prints, including varnishes, to give that perfect With a presence in all the major winegrowing regions of the UK, if a presentation. There is also the option to produce premium printed wooded producer has an idea and wants to talk face to face, Produce Packaging have boxes. These are a step up from anything which can be produced in local representatives which can visit the vineyard. Alternatively, producers cardboard and are aimed at producers of premium wines which require a can call in to one of the offices or the team can work entirely via email. From premium presentation. concept to delivery, the process can take as little as six weeks, depending on “The quality of the box is normally determined by the purpose of the case,” how long it takes for the artwork and design to be finalised.

39 GRAPE GROWING Will M ow e r The vine post

How to design a vineyard.

A recent report from WineGB tells us that an optimum utilisation of land is paramount. estimated 3 million grapevines were planted The land that has been acquired or designated this year. 1.6 million in 2018 and 1 million will most likely have a sloping aspect and natural the year before that. Vine-Works Ltd have undulation. Within cool climate wine production, been at the forefront of this growth and have it’s understood that rows following north-south expanded to accommodate the requirement orientations will allow for even canopy exposure for professionally designed vineyards. We to the sun and will not cast shadow on the design vineyards following a checklist of neighbouring row. Not all fields in this country requirements and the client's business goals, fall away directly to the south allowing for this being planted. Some varieties can benefit from but it all starts with one question – what will standard approach to planting, sadly. If land slopes more space between vines and others by being the grapes you grow be for? away to the south east or south west, then for closer together. Vigour, phenolics and acidity can Understanding what the grapes are ultimately practical purposes it makes sense to plant in that all potentially be managed with vine spacing. Also, destined for defines almost every decision in the direction. For machinery operations and to negate provisions should be made in the design to match design process. For example, a farmer diversifying the need for terracing, following the topography varieties to the warmest or coolest areas of the their business by adding a new crop to their can be far more economical. Reducing frost is an vineyard. If frost is a real concern for the site, then portfolio and growing grapes to sell on futures important consideration during site selection but perhaps keep early budding varieties away from contracts or on the open market, may want long can also be addressed in where the rows start and this area. rows with large headlands and easy to manage finish. Leaving substantial cold air run-off areas Our diverse and extensive experience in vineyard square blocks. Less turns for tractors and the or creating gaps in tree lines for it to escape can design has exposed our team to interesting and ability to use over row, trailered sprayers will be crucial to avoiding damage to grapevines from impressive projects. With the continuing expansion increase the efficiency of vineyard operations. spring frosts. of vineyards in this country, we see more and A business started with the purpose of becoming Headlands and windbreaks are an integral part more intricate designs to fit around private houses, a wine producing brand, building a winery, selling of any vineyard design and are often overlooked newly purchased land and established businesses. from a cellar door and running tours will have a or underestimated in their importance. There is a Our designs always focus on why the fruit is being very different approach to vineyard design. Blocks balance, however, between utilising plantable area produced, then around existing site attributes and could be smaller with more variation in row length and making it difficult for operators to turn their followed with improving and utilising land to its to follow existing features in the land. Lateral views tractors. fullest potential. of end posts could show pretty curves making the Windbreaks can offer protection for vines New technologies are entering the market that vineyard more aesthetically appealing to visitors. and, spaced correctly, can also become useful allow us to perfect this design process further An early consideration in the design process is side lands for vineyard traffic. What’s planted and its likely we will be using these to map as land. Land value still holds steady and in recent for windbreaks should be considered carefully accurately as we can around soil profile and years we have even seen a premium on land otherwise they could harbour disease and pests. bedrock formations. destined for a vineyard or land with significant The decision on how much space between rows Whether the reason to start a vineyard is positive attributes to plant grape vines. Whether and between the vines will come back to the initial practical or emotive, design will be a small but buying land to pursue the planting of a vineyard question of what will happen to the fruit. This is important part of the process as what is ultimately or fortunate enough to already own the land, where consideration must be given to the varietals planted and trellised will last for a generation.

 www.vine-works.com  01273 891777 paper-plane, [email protected] 40 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD Will M ow e r

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For more information about how we can help maximise the productivity of your fruit enterprise, or for a copy of our Vineyard Toolkit, please get in touch with our Customer Services Team on 0845 607 3322 www.agrii.co.uk @AgriiUK 41 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD GRAPE GROWING Matt S tru g n e l Rain or shine? l The expectation of delivering a crop in perfect condition can set one’s nerves jangling.

My first harvest in England was as a student September, right up until the 29th. The rain since in 2000 at St George’s vineyard in East then has meant picking schedules have been Sussex. My memory of that year was the rain moved around and ripening is slowing down, but and having to pick in the rain as there simply thankfully still slowly climbing. right through to full ripeness. were not any dry days. Titratable acidity (TA) has been a curious thing A few instances of berry shrivel that looked like Nearby Lewes and Uckfield were badly flooded this year. Right from the start of sampling in heat stress and there is a large spread of bunch and Lewes station made an appearance on the early September, the TA was looking lower than counts and bunch weights. Despite this what front cover of Private Eye magazine, ‘The boat normal, particularly in the Pinot noir and Pinot is currently hanging out there right now looks arriving at platform 3 is the delayed 3.25 from meunier and in many vineyards. It was pleasant fantastic. The Pinot noir and meunier is all safely Hastings’. ripening weather, but we’ve had plenty of nice picked, the winery team are happy, and we are Well OK, it’s nowhere like it was then, but the Septembers in the past so nothing too unusual. now waiting to pick our Chardonnay. Very happy recent remnants of storms tracking across the Veraison was around the normal sort of time. with the ripeness and the general health of the Atlantic has given us constantly changing weather There wasn’t much rain to speak of, so nothing to crop, it’s just trying to get a good day to pick it. forecasts. According to some of my colleagues at dilute the acidity. There was a spell of quite chilly Perhaps we have been slightly blessed with Ridgeview head office, I am approaching harvest nights too, something that we rely on to keep the the weather at harvest for the past few years. in a buoyant and calm mood. As one of them put it, acidity high. Yet the TAs were getting below 20g/l Sure, there have been rainy days over the I haven’t yet been seen doing my ‘don’t talk to me before any appreciable sugar accumulation. With harvest period, but I can’t remember being quite about harvest’ face. the recent wet weather, my worry has been that so anxious about the rain at this time for quite Even when the crop is looking magnificent, the the acidity will be further diluted, but in fact what a few years. Once the pickers have started, I’ll expectation of delivering a crop without a hitch is happening is that they have fallen to just about find myself going through the crates, picking out and in perfect condition can set one’s nerves the perfect level and have pretty much stayed put. random bunches, tasting them, testing with the jangling. Have I booked enough pickers? Have I suppose the story of 2019 has been a year of refractometer and making sure that the fruit is I chosen the right day to start picking? Will the stop-start weather; mid 20’s in February, record clean and ripe. Then I walk a few rows seeing fruit be ok until we get around to picking it? Will breaking temperatures over Easter, a cold start how full the crates are. Is that crop forecast the bird scarers work ok? Has my sampling been to June, good flowering weather, but a fairly looking good? representative? Will the crop forecasts hold true, ordinary August apart from the Bank Holiday In a year of ups and downs, overall it is all or at least be within an acceptable tolerance? Will heatwave. Social media has shown pictures of looking very promising at the moment and the weather be ok for picking? individual bunches displaying the full spectrum as ever I am sure everything will work out The weather was great throughout most of of berry development from green, pre-veraison, beautifully… fingers crossed.

42 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD Matt S tru g n e l l Equipment for Vineyards

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43 AGRONOMY Ch ris C o o p e Agronomy diary r Chris Cooper and Rob Saunders, vine specialists rs at Hutchinsons, discuss the season. e d Harvest is later than last year but now well in places mite populations were substantial n underway and the quality and quantity of enough to stunt initial leaf and shoot u a

grapes looks encouraging – next we look to development. Where applied early, Batavia S

the winemakers to work their magic, as the (spirotetramat) has been very effective. b

more autumnal weather approaches. Unsettled weather, typical in October, favours o R If your site escaped the frost, the subsequent Botrytis. There are protectant materials available temperatures have been largely favourable. A should a short harvest interval botryticide be review of the Met office records for summer required. The severity of infection at this time temperatures (the mean for June, July and of year depends on how robust the programme only thing returning to Australia this year, our August) reveals that the high of 2018 (17.73°C) was around flowering, along with the myriad good friend Dr Richard Smart is also moving has not been repeated, but the 2019 reading of management decisions influencing spray cover, back. The author of the Plumpton Students 16.72°C is usefully in line with the new norm. bunch architecture, fruit exposure and nutrition. must-have textbook “Sunlight into Wine”, But it has been much wetter: 101 mm in 2018, There will be a bit of time to feed the vines he was never one to hold back on giving an more than doubling to 220 mm in 2019, and before leaf fall occurs; this can include Copper opinion and debate a position he believed to that is reflected in the prevalence of downy to assist in improving cane quality and then the be correct. At Hutchinson’s we will miss those mildew, even on the best managed sites. pruning can commence. forthright thoughts and we wish him all the Mites appear to have been favoured by We are told that “The Ashes” are not the best for the future. the warmth of 2018, followed by the stop/ start spring which gave rise to a poorly  www.hlhltd.co.uk paper-plane [email protected] synchronised, protracted emergence, so  07879 694520 paper-plane [email protected]  07899 978207 timings of spring treatments were difficult, and k Stake ac r T J ra in e e Legal advice S o l i c i t

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Gripple goes back to its roots with greenhouse solution

Innovating joining and suspension solutions Fitting takes seconds and uses a single a strong, reliable and re-tensionable solution manufacturer, Gripple, has launched a new component system which is lighter and smaller which will last for decades.” wire joiner specifically designed for the UK than traditional U-bolts, turn buckles and Testing replicated the equivalent of 25 years grape growing market. ratchet strainers, offering significant savings in of hailstorms and corrosion, through methods The Gripple GP90 wire joining device has transportation costs. It requires little training to such as cyclic load testing, instant load testing been in development for more than 12 months. fit and reduces risk of injury and time working and salt spraying. A range of accessories It is a faster, easier and more versatile at height. are also available to complement the GP90 alternative to knots, U-bolts and ratchet “We became aware of a demand from the including a robust low-effort wire tensioning strainers in the installation of crop weight European fruit growing market for a new way to tool for contractors and a setting key which support systems. join and tension through 90 degrees,” said Will allows wire to be removed or repositioned in It quickly joins and tensions line wire to Anderson, Gripple product manager. “It would the GP90 before tensioning. perpendicular boundary bars, ideal for creating have been easy to create an adaptation for our Gripple, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary wire crop support to enable stronger growth of existing range but instead we have invested in 2019, began making wire joining and tensioning crops and greater yield by reducing the risk of in the development of a new product which devices for the agricultural industry. It now collapse. offers even greater time and labour savings to supplies solutions using ‘grip and pull’ technology GP90 clamps onto boundary bars before the our customers. GP90 simplifies and speeds up from hubs in Europe, North America and India and line wire is fed through the self-locking system installation, reduces labour costs and provides has sold more than 700 million units. and tensioned using the Gripple Tensioning Tool.  www.gripple.com  01142 752255 paper-plane,[email protected]

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r Working in partnership with Vineyard Magazine for a developing UK wine industry.

WineGB is the national trade body representing the vine growers and winemakers of Great Britain from the largest producers to small hobbyists. If you are interested in wine production in the UK find out more about WineGB Our members work together with the organisation to develop strategy, and join us. Visit our website www.winegb.co.uk expertise and marketing opportunities for long-term, sustainable success. What WineGB is up to: Sustainable winery water First viticulture apprenticeship management The WineGB Environmental Sustainability Working Group, established in January launched 2019, encourages and supports grape growers and winemakers in producing Plumpton College has launched a new viticulture apprenticeship programme sustainable wine in the UK, through informing members on sustainability issues, that will start this Autumn. The programme, endorsed by WineGB, is seeking via bi-monthly practical bulletins, as well as developing an accredited sustainability UK producers who are interested in taking part in the first pilot group. scheme. The college has developed the government approved Level 3 Crop The September bulletin focuses on winery water management and provides Technician apprenticeship standard into a new viticulture apprenticeship, guidance on how to reduce the use of water in the winery, with practical water which will be delivered on a national basis, and provide excellent coverage of saving tips, and a section on how to manage waste water. all aspects of practical vineyard management. Future bulletins will deal with topics such as crop management, vine nutrition, Students will learn a variety of skills including canopy management and energy use in wineries, environmental conservation, integrated pest management, pruning, key vineyard operations, as well as tractor driving and use of greenhouse gas management in wineries, social responsibility & engagement and vineyard machinery. The course will also incorporate a range of competency waste management in wineries. These bulletins are circulated to WineGB members certificates, such as first aid and pesticide application. electronically and are available on the sustainability pages of the WineGB website. The apprenticeship is work-based and requires attendance at Plumpton The WineGB Climate Change and Sustainability Conference and launch of the Wine Division on block placements over the two-year period, during which Sustainability Scheme, that was due to be held in November, has been postponed accommodation will be provided, making the course accessible. and the target date is now Spring 2020. Jeremy Kerswell, principal of Plumpton College commented: “With the UK wine industry going from strength to strength, it is actively seeking staff to Raising our industry profile establish and manage its vineyards, so the launch of this course is coming at Much of the WineGB marketing activity is to raise the industry profile to a crucial time for the UK.” three target groups: consumers, trade and media. Our key focus now is To discuss further please contact, Hamish Dow on 01273 890454 or email communicating more with consumers – we want to excite and inform them [email protected] of our wines and vineyards and encourage sales and tourism. Our website is

> New Viticulture Apprenticeship programme (photo credit: Plumpton College) 46 FORTHCOMING being redeveloped to be more consumer-friendly and interactive, to include an EVENTS online map with related links to all our listed member vineyards. WineGB has also just appointed a digital media officer to focus exclusively All welcome on developing our social media activity and with that create more engagement through Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. We are communicating with our members for stories, content and conversation and driving some special campaigns and stories online to further inspire and inform consumers. With Christmas just around the corner, look out for more coverage! THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2020 The experts guiding WineGB The first WineGB Business & To ensure a sustainable and profitable future for the industry, WineGB has a programme of projects designed to deliver on strategic objectives. These Marketing Members’ Conference projects are driven by the Management Advisory Committee (MAC) which Taking place at Denbies Wine Estate. The consists of the leaders of ten working groups. These working groups are conference will be chaired by Ruth Simpson formed of experienced professionals who volunteer their expertise in order to (Simpsons Wine Estate) and promises an develop policies, best practice or guidance in areas including regulations, duty, excellent line up of speakers to cover many sustainability, training and education, viticulture, winemaking, R&D, exports and aspects of business and marketing for members. wine tourism. WineGB would like to acknowledge the huge amount of valuable This is a members-only event and further work these volunteers contribute to the greater good of our industry. The MAC details will be circulated soon. meets four times each year and the minutes of each meeting are published on the WineGB website along with the current WineGB Project Portfolio. Another high yield harvest? As harvest is underway and many vineyards are experiencing higher than RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR average yields again in 2019, DEFRA have confirmed that the changes PRODUCERS proposed to the maximum yield by WineGB to the PDO and PGI schemes are being accepted. This means that yield limits are raised from 80/100 Hl per Ha WineGB supports the grape growers and to 165 Hl per Ha for both schemes. There is also a more rigorous quality taste winemakers in Great Britain with regular test for English and Welsh PDO wines in place. news bulletins, online resources and technical conferences. See the WineGB website for a wide Supported by partners and range of resources including: patrons The WineGB patrons programme enables the organisation to raise funds to support Planning permission: A WineGB member, retired planning consultant and activities that benefit the membership and encourage the industry to develop. vineyard owner, is available to help fellow members WineGB welcomes Vineyard Magazine as a patron and looks forward to through what is often a minefield when it comes to working together, as both organisation have a mutual interest in supporting and planning for vineyards and wineries. The most recent communicating with English and Welsh grape growers and winemakers. Vineyard update covers outside tanks for wineries. Magazine will dedicate two pages each month to keep readers informed of the current WineGB activities and events. The Grape Press will continue to be the Wine tourism: WineGB members' magazine and will provide technical content for producers A focus on regional and national tourism initiatives, with twice a year. For details of WineGB patrons supporting the industry, please go to the a charter of standards soon to be published. There are WineGB website. some very exciting cooperative wine tourism initiatives in different parts of the country and information on these is to Sparkling Wine Consumer be shared across England and Wales. Research Report Calendar of events: Lots of marketing activities to participate in during the The latest consumer research report ‘Sparkling Wine in the UK Market’ lead up to Christmas! from Wine Intelligence providing a very useful insight into the sparkling wine market is now available. A free extract version containing the management Recommended reading: summary and the English sparkling section is available exclusively to WineGB Lots of book titles, journal and other links on grape members. The full report is available from Wine Intelligence, with a special growing, winemaking, marketing as well as the general price for WineGB members. Details of both the free extract and the discount wine industry for those new to the industry as well as the for the full report can be found on the WineGB website. more experienced. JOIN WINEGB  01858 467792 paper-plane, [email protected]  www.WineGB.co.uk 47 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD COMING SOON Come and visit us at the National Fruit Show 23rd - 24th October to see something very special

JEREMY CLOUDE RICHARD SMITH Haynes Agri @Agrimachines @haynesagri 07710 870153 07483 035922 HAYNES AGRICULTURAL LTD. COVERING KENT, SUSSEX AND SURREY www.haynesgrp.co.uk

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Boisselet weed control De-leafer Tow and Blow Sauerburger rotavator www.vitifruitequipment.co.uk [email protected] 01732 866567 48 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD MACHINERY Control troublesome weeds

Arable cultivation technology offers weed control option vines.

A Kent fruit and hops grower is using a well-known arable cultivation different positions to stay comfortable throughout the day,” said Daryl. “The technique in an attempt to maintain control of troublesome weeds as seat is positioned a bit higher, and together with the taller windscreen, that herbicide options diminish. gives you better forwards visibility.” Josh Berry used a short disc cultivator for the first time this year at This is an important consideration for operations at Gushmere Court where Gushmere Court Farm near Selling in the hope of controlling both annual and the tractor is equipped with front lift and pto to operate a pruning machine perennial weeds. and a pulveriser, so that the operator has the best view for maximum The implement has two rows of aggressive discs set at an angle to cultivate accuracy and control. the soil and dislodge weeds to keep them at bay during the growing season. “I specified relatively small front wheels for maximum steering A key attraction of the implement is its hydraulically-adjustable working manoeuvrability, especially to avoid damaging the blackcurrants when the width, which means it can be adapted to operate at different spacings tractor’s operating our three-row trailed sprayer, but in all other respects went making it ideal for use in vineyards, as well as the blackcurrant orchards and for the top spec,” Josh Berry explains. “For one thing, I wanted to get the best hop gardens planted at Gushmere Court. possible performance from the tractor with different equipment in different “There’s resurgence in the hops market so we want to maximise yield and situations; but also, I think it’s important for our hard-working operators to quality but it’s a very specialist crop so the herbicides we’re permitted to use have the best possible equipment.” are becoming fewer all the time, which is why we’re looking at being more The tractor’s new transmission therefore has a power shuttle for easiest effective with cultural methods,” said Josh Berry. changes between forward and reverse, a clutch button on the gear lever for Operating the small-scale but heavy-duty Ovlac Minivid Pro cultivator was pedal-free shifting, and three-step powershift to get the maximum number of one of the first jobs given to a new tractor on the farm. ratios for different applications and easy speed shifts under load. The 95hp Landini Rex 4-100V, supplied by local dealer Horsepower UK, is “The engine speed memory is ideal for headland turns,” said Daryl Rook. an ultra-narrow tractor that nonetheless has the power, strength and rear lift “You set one speed for turning and one for working, flick the switch between muscle to handle the implement. the two and you always return to the correct pto speed without any fiddling.” “We specified larger diameter discs on the cultivator to ensure penetration Hydraulic resources are also generous, the tractor is equipped with a into hard, dry soils through the summer, so it’s quite a heavy implement for 50-litre/min pump to supply a good complement of spool valves to operate its size,” said Josh. “The hydraulically-operated telescopic frame also adds increasingly complex machinery like the farm’s new pruning machine. weight but it’s ideal when we’ve one hop garden at 2.1m plant spacing and “It’s a tough tractor, too,” adds Josh Berry. “It’s quite capable of carrying flail another at 2.4m.” pulverisers front and rear for maximum efficiency.” Although the trio of earlier Landini Rex tractors on the farm are the ‘F’ As for operating the inter-row disc cultivator, the tractor takes it in its stride, specification, suited to working in the farm’s blackcurrant, pear and cherry says Daryl Rook, and he is hopeful the discing action will provide effective orchards, the narrower ‘V’ configuration was chosen for the new-generation weed control. Rex 4-100 to ensure it can work down the rows. “The cultivator’s simple to set up and operate, and it’s easy to use on this Despite the narrow width, operator Daryl Rook says the cab is spacious new tractor," he says. “It’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into the Rex 4’s enough, with the new smooth, slightly curved floor being a big improvement design, especially to make life easier and more productive for the operator.” on the ‘straddle’ seating position of other orchard and vineyard tractors. “Instead of being forced to always have your legs in one position, you can move them to

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For the coming season Zanon has introduced some lightweight easy to use tools aimed at the small to medium size growers, adding to the heavier duty range of secateurs and cane tying down guns for the larger more demanding vineyards and contractors. The attractive price of the new tools puts them within reach of most growers with the ZM 25 Wireless secateurs at £599.00 and the ZL 25 Wireless tying tool at £749.00. If both are purchased together using a common battery the cost is £1,215 plus Vat and delivery. The battery is integrated into the handle of the tools thus avoiding cables and backpacks. The secateurs weigh 890 grams and the tying tool 990 grams. Vitifruit Equipment continue to sell the Electrocoup range as well as Zanon. The Electrocoup secateurs are marginally lighter in the hand, although more expensive, but otherwise similar in performance. The Zanon tying tool however has little competition when it comes to easy use and speed of work with many users offering glowing reports of how much time they save and how they enjoy doing the job. “Your local vineyard Most have also found the business of winding the cane around the tractor & machinery training wire after pruning a waste of time and effort finding it far easier to lay the cane, pull the trigger and move on. speciailsts” The adoption of this type of tying Martin Bailiss down system also greatly assists 07796 305209 those using the [email protected] amazing Provitis cane pulling out machine which saves a huge amount of labour cost with one man typically pulling out three to four hectares a day while simultaneously mulching the prunings as they pass under and out at the back of the tractor. www.farol.co.uk All of these tools are available to hire or buy from Vitifruit Equipment. Please contact David or Richard for further information.

 www.vitifruitequipment.co.uk  01732 866567 paper-plane [email protected] 51 OCTOBER 2019 | VINEYARD