Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog August 2023

GODSTONE • August 1, 2023

Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog

1st August 2023


July has been an extremely busy month in the vineyard majoring upon the trimming and leaf stripping, especially in our Bacchus vines.

The trimming is done by a local contractor who uses a tractor-mounted machine which trims the sides and tops of the vine rows; reducing the vegetation above the top wire is particularly important otherwise the vines from one row would overshadow the next row and prevent sunlight penetrating the fruiting area.


Leaf stripping has been done by hand (thank you to those of you who have so kindly volunteered your help) and seems counterintuitive ! After all, why would you want to remove the ‘factory’ of the vine ? In the case of a vine the leaf takes one month before it provides help to the fruit (meanwhile using the plant’s energy) after which it only produces energy for three months and, therefore, by the end of July all that a leaf is doing is creating shade and humidity on the fruit.


Leaf removal promotes aeration on the fruit and increases exposure to the sun, which in turn aids ripening. In July we leaf stripped the east side of our rows in the hope that any morning sun will dry the overnight dew off the fruit; in mid August we will leaf strip the west side. The image at the top of the article shows a row of Bacchus after leaf stripping and trimming - note the promising bunches !


I hope that you are enjoying the Summer - it’s been a mixed bag in terms of the weather and we could do with a month of decent sunshine to help the grapes.


We have recently introduced a Charcuterie Platter to our menu which features gorgeous cold cuts from Owley Farm in Tenterden, Kent. Why not pop along and try it with a glass of our award winning wine, we are always delighted to see you.


Kind Regards  ,  Jonathan & Family

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: 
Share by: