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info@vinescapes.com
info@vinescapes.com
Leading vineyards & wineries
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Grape growing and wine production in the UK is booming. It is the fastest growing agricultural sector in the country, making it an exciting time to be involved. Vineyards are expanding our green spaces and creating a highly sustainable choice for farmers and landowners
With years of experience supporting clients to take their initial idea through to a productive working vineyard and winery build, Vinescapes can guide you on what to do and importantly, what not to do when establishing a vineyard.
In this article, we set out 5 key considerations before embarking on your vineyard journey.
As with any growing sector, there are ways to enter the market from selling grapes to an established winery, to creating your own wine and winery experience.
Every type of business model includes risks, rewards and requirements.
We recommend creating a detailed business plan to clearly define your offering and help answer those all important questions – how, where, when you will sell your wine and what wine will connect with your target consumers?
This stage of the process brings your dream to life. We’ll be able to help you map the finance and resources you’ll need through detailed vineyard and winery forecasting.
This will give you the confidence to create the business you want, and a job you’ll love!
If you own land, is it a suitable vineyard site?
If you are searching for land, do you know what to look for?
Our expertise in vineyard establishment, climate science and site mapping can help you to identify the potential for your site or available sites for growing specific varieties.
We can also advise on how your site is likely to perform in a changing climate over the long term.
Our proprietary program, VineMAP assesses sites across the United Kingdom for their grape-growing potential.
We’ll also work with you to assess the site for the size and potential to build a winery, hospitality premises, storage or other requirements to support your dream.
In the UK it’s important for your site to be southerly facing. Southerly facing vineyards receive the maximum sunshine hours in a day, and this is essential for the ripening and quality of your wine grapes.
Elevation is not as desirable in the UK as it is in other wine regions. We recommend land below circa 130 metres above mean sea level, depending on location and surrounding topography.
A gentle wind to mitigate disease pressure is preferable as is free-draining soil. These elements will help us to determine what grape varieties are best for your site.
We are strong advocates for regenerative and sustainable viticulture.
Depending on the health and characteristics of your site, we can develop a plan to restore the vitality of the site’s soils and give your vines the best possible chance to grow into a healthy, productive vineyard.
We can continue to work with you to manage your soil and vine health as the vines become more established.
Our role is to help you to make decisions about the techniques, tools and treatments for pests, disease, vine growth and fruit quality. We are advocates for regenerative viticulture but can support you on your journey through many options to best suit your business model and vision.
Planting a vineyard is a considerable investment.
Our team has experience in vineyard establishment across the UK, as well as international experience in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and in many wine regions of Europe.
Our team is skilled in climate and viticulture science, wine production, winery design, winemaking, site assessment and investment advice , which will help you along every step of your wine journey.
Achieving your dream vineyard will become a reality with Vinescapes.
