Jonathan's Vineyard Blog July 2023

GODSTONE • July 4, 2023

Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog

4th July 2023


We have received some very good news since my last blog was published in May - our Sparkling Wine 2020 was awarded a gold medal at the IEWA Awards; only ten golds were awarded and there are nearly 1000 vineyards in the UK so we are incredibly proud of this achievement.


I consider it to be a starting point rather than an end game in our pursuit of excellence - everything we do in the vineyard at Godstone is tailored towards the goal of consistently producing top quality wines. I have long held the view that our soil type and topography are near perfect for growing grapes in England and this award feels like a vindication.


“Fantastic aromatics on the nose and great complexity. The mouthfeel and acidity is outstanding. An exciting sparkling wine that really opens up in the glass. Beautiful nose, with such good evolution. Really well balanced wine with depth on the mid-palate and a creamy, round finish. Really enjoyable !” - IEWA 2023 Tasting Note.


In other news we are now Summer pruning our vines : tucking in shoots, especially on a vigorous variety such as Bacchus; leaf stripping on one side of each row in order to improve ventilation and access to the sun.


Our alfresco garden area is looking particularly lovely this year so if you fancy popping along to enjoy a glass of our award winning wines then we are always delighted to see you any weekend !




Kind Regards

Jonathan

jcdeeley@godstonevineyards.com

January 27, 2025
The month of January often seems a long one to endure post Christmas, with its cold, short days ; however it is always a very busy month in our vineyard, and with pruning and tree management to undertake this one has been no exception. Our vines are grown on a system called “Double Guyot”, learn more about how they are winter pruned here . Godstone Vineyard is surrounded on three sides by extensive areas of woodland, and, like everything else in the countryside, this requires annual management. We are very proud of our tree planting endeavours, which have taken place every winter for the past three decades. However, the countryside finds itself confronted by the horrors of “Ash Dieback” — an airborne disease which is wreaking havoc across the British Isles. To learn more about Ash Dieback, how it spreads, and control efforts, please click here . We have embarked upon upgrading our wirework in the vineyard, much of which is nearly 40 years old — the cost of steel wire is a shock ! We always love to see you at Godstone Vineyard and if you would like to join us for a glass or two of wine and perhaps a charcuterie and cheese platter we are open on Saturday 8th February , and thereafter monthly. Kind Regards Jonathan
By GODSTONE December 16, 2024
As the year draws to a close it’s time to reflect on the past year: the weather has dominated proceedings - a year characterised by incessant rainfall at the wrong time of the growing season which, coupled with severe bird damage on ripening grapes, resulted in no harvest at Godstone in 2024. This was incredibly disappointing. We have significant stocks of wines - bottled and unbottled - from previous harvests which will ensure continuity of supply in the short to medium term, however, a harvest in 2025 will be critically important if we are to avoid supply side disruption in the future. Fingers crossed for a far better year ahead. We will be opening our shop and café once a month throughout 2025. Our next date is Saturday 18th January and if you would like to attend then please reserve a place using the link below: 
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