News

We have had almost the perfect storm this year in Burge’s Field. But for the early (and late) frosts, 2018 would have been the ideal growing season. From flowering in mid June, through fruit set in early July, to veraison (when the berries take on their final colour) in September, there was barely a drop […]

The vines are fat with grapes, full and sweet and juicy and just ten days from pickable perfection. But, just as the finishing post is almost touchable, the spectre of early Autumn frosts has appeared. Our plucky Frost Warriors were out in the vineyard at 5.30 on Monday morning and again until 2 on Tuesday […]

If ever you meet an English grape grower in late April or early May, chances are they will be a little distracted. This is the time of the year when a late frost can decimate the vineyard.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the upper Itchen was at the forefront of the development of water-meadows, an agricultural innovation that made use of the fact that, year-round, the water that emerges from chalk springs is an almost constant 10° Centigrade. Using a carefully constructed series of channels, water from the main river was […]

As gulls fly south to the coast our fourth harvest is gathered. It’s brought a difficult year to an end but, after all the weather has thrown at the vineyard over the last 6 months, there is a surprising sense of optimism… A 30 strong team has taken 5 days to pick, pack and deliver […]