April 2025- Around the Vineyard

Following the formal opening on April 12th we welcomed our first visitors on Saturday 19th April. Since then we have had visitors most days. From their early reviews, our tour and tasting model works well and the wines, especially the sparkling Solaris were much enjoyed. Many of visitors were from the local area and walked to the vineyard. We hope that walking groups will follow this example and include a vineyard tour in their itineraries.

Vineyard Report

Following the wet weather of most of last year, the warm dry spring has been a most welcome change. During winter we pruned the vines to retain and develop the best structure for fruit production. Young vines that had grown to pencil thickness above the bottom wire were pruned back to just above that wire. These canes develop buds along their entire length. To shape the plant however we rub off all except the top three, one just above the wire and two below. The top two buds will provide the fruiting shoots which will eventually be bent over to provide the “double guyot” fruiting structure (see photo). The bottom bud will be grown on to produce more replacement shoots for next year. More mature vines were “double guyot” pruned in winter to leave two fruiting canes for this year. On these established vines we rub off any new buds that develop along the mature trunk of the vine. At this stage we leave the fruiting canes in the upright
position to minimise any impact of a late frost attack. They will be tied down to the horizontal wires in May when the sap is rising strongly and the canes are more pliable, avoiding snapping when bending over.