Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog April 11th

April 11, 2022

The past month has been a very busy one in the vineyard.


Firstly, we have now finished our pruning and commenced the tying down of fruiting canes.

We have a fairly late site at Godstone which, on balance, is a good thing since the bud burst is delayed and we will hopefully avoid the worst effects of any frosts; on the other hand we end up with harvests which run into the autumn, which can be problematic. Generally speaking I am delighted with the way our vines are looking after their pruning.


Secondly, we have been preparing the soil for new planting of vines - the photo image shows how the empty row looks after the ground has been rotovated and prior to planting. It is, like almost everything in the vineyard, a process which requires long term planning. This month we will be planting more Bacchus and Seyval Blanc vines, however I have been preparing the soil into which they will be planted for the past three years - ensuring that there are no perennial weeds, making sure that the soil is healthy, and rotovating it every Spring to improve the soil structure. It is now ready for planting although we are at the mercy of the importers and currently our vines are stuck in a logistical nightmare somewhere in Germany.

As the eternal optimist I believe that everything will come right in the end, failing which I shall have to resort to drinking more Sparkling Wine !


We always love to see you at the vineyard and just to let you know that our Sparkling Wine from the 2020 harvest will be released in early June.


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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