Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog - August 2024

August 19, 2024

We are approximately two months away from the grape harvest and it has been a very trying year in the vineyard: a wet, cold late Spring followed by a predominantly disappointing Summer meaning that our potential harvest will be low in yield..

Bacchus is a precocious variety at the best of times - in a perfect growing year it will produce wonderful grapes resulting in a stellar dry white wine; however as a variety it has struggled to cope with this year’s climatic conditions.

Seyval Blanc, on the other hand, is a reliable performer at Godstone and - once again - has come to the rescue to save the day. If we have warm sunny periods of weather between now and the end of October then I am confident we will pick sufficient grapes in order to make a high quality sparkling wine.

Our ‘Open Day’ held on 10th August was a tremendous success and many thanks to those of you who attended; it was our initial foray into reopening after what has been a very difficult and traumatic year following the passing away of my mother last November. I like to think that she would have been looking down on us with an approving smile.

We are open on Monday 2nd September between 10am-3pm for wine tastings, sales, and charcuterie / cheese platters - if you would like to visit us then please register your interest via this link to Eventbrite, if you haven’t already done so:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/godstone-vineyards-open-day-tickets-995080812497?aff=oddtdtcreator

The main project of the Summer - other than trying to grow grapes in a cold, wet climate - has been bringing a windbreak under control, in essence it had trebled in height from the original intention and created unwanted shade on the adjacent rows of vines. We used an excellent local tree surgeon and the result is most satisfactory.

Additionally we have had great success with a wildflower project - the residents of our onsite beehive have had a whale of a time ! The benefits to our ecosystem will be amazing and it’s one more component in our pathway to sustainable farming at Godstone Vineyards.

I wish you a most enjoyable end to the Summer and hope to see you soon.

Kind Regards
Jonathan

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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