Wondering what it's like to be the VINE MAESTRO at an award winning vineyard? Well, wonder no more!
Here Alex gives you a brief overview of his week, after Harvest (but mid vineyard renovation)!
Monday:Met with Jamie Pocock, a neighbouring farmer, who will be cutting back our boundary hedges. Then, I helped with the viewing platform project by filling the dumpers with pea shingle, so the ground workers (Jason and Paul) could continue laying the pipework for the services
Tuesday:Continued the pea-shingle work until we completed this part of the job. Once finished, I started taking down another fence, opening up the spaces between the land that will become our new vineyards. I also rang Nick Ford to confirm his site visit for Thursday. Sian asked me to check I was happy with the photo/gif and write up for the website. Check it out : WINE MAESTRO.
Wednesday:Spent most of the day transporting materials up to the viewing platform site for Milos and Chris, so they could continue building. I also had to track down some window frames that were delivered to our neighbours by mistake! I took delivery of three old wine barrels, which will be used at the viewing platform. Later, I met with David Fry, a previous owner of Wick Bridge Farm—way before it became a vineyard. It was fascinating to hear more about the history of our site and the area itself. I also had some cartwheels arrive—more decor for me to sign for and store!
Thursday:Met with our viticulturalist, Bert Martyn, to begin plotting out the rows of vines for planting our two new vineyards (which will house Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc). Nick arrived on site, and we agreed and finalised the ploughing schedule. Using Nick's knowledge and experience, we decided how best to provide nutrients to the grounds we want to use for planting, without the need for harsh chemicals. I left Bert to continue measuring the size and spacing of the new vineyards, while I lent a hand to Jason moving mounds of earth to seal the sites from Tuesday and their further work on Wednesday. An important job done before the weather changes again! In the evening, I went up to The Dumb Post to see if they’ve tasted our wine yet ;) and met the Beauford Hunt—had a chat, spreading the Maud Heath word! I also confirmed with Nick the plan for tidying up the boundaries and edges of the new vineyard areas as part of his ploughing/tidying project.
Friday:Spent the morning driving a couple of the project team members up and down to the viewing platform, and the afternoon cutting some logs for them. I also changed out of my work clothes and into something a bit nicer for the photo that Sian asked me to take, to go with this blog!
Now I’m going back up to The Dumb Post to... network! :)
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