Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog September 2023

GODSTONE • September 12, 2023

Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog

12th September 2023




September is the month which gives me the most sleepless nights in the year ! I check the Met Office app every few hours hoping to see a long term forecast consisting solely of warm, cloudless blue skies, and no rain. I am writing this blog on the back of an unseasonably hot period which has been an absolute blessing for our ripening grapes.


I have been growing grapes in England for almost forty years and have no intention of making harvest predictions which I will then regret but suffice to say, if the weather gods are kind between now and mid October then we have the basis of a decent crop.


The very wet weather which we experienced during July and August has allowed some botrytis (grey mould) to develop - especially in our Bacchus - so at this stage the only thing that can arrest the disease is fine weather. Our Seyval Blanc - which are effectively disease resistant - prove, once again, why they are so well suited to cool climate wine areas such as England.


In my next blog you will read about our harvest but, in the meantime, please pray for a sustained period of decent weather on our behalf !


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. We are extremely busy at weekends so I strongly recommend that you book a great place on our terrace and/or garden area via https://www.godstonevineyards.com/contact


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: 
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