Longdown Vineyard Sustainability Approach

Sustainability for us means that we are creating a business that will last and grow in harmony with the environment in which it operates.  We will use local people, local suppliers and sell to local customers wherever we can. We will think about how we operate the business, the practices that we apply and the impact they have on our environment today and in the future.

Our Practices

Water

So far we have not needed to water our vines – except the new ones in Twyford when they were first planted. We collect rainwater from the barn roof run off and store for use across the vineyard be this for keeping our vines healthy or keeping our equipment in good order. We will always look to use our rainwater store for any water needs.

Soil

We manage our soil environment by annual analysis to understand its health and the nutritional needs of our vines. We plant rootstock that works with our terroir (land) and allows the vines to thrive with minimal intervention. Our analysis helps us define what fertiliser plan, if any, we need to deploy and we work with local Agronomists to use organic materials wherever possible. We use a range of between vine row cover crops that not only add nutrients to our soil, but also provide an environment to encourage bees, ladybirds, butterflies and other insects. Our approach minimises tractor movements through the use of technology so that the ground is not compacted allowing the vine roots to get /stay strong and the soil life to remain fertile.

Spraying

We would love to tell you that we have no pests or diseases but that would be a lie. We buy disease and pest resistant clones which reduce the need for treatments. Things are changing all the time both in terms of the diseases and the pests we deal with during climate change, advances in knowledge that allow more ‘friendly’ interventions. Our multi-row, recycling sprayer is efficient both in terms of operation and spray effectiveness meaning spraying takes 50% less time and has 40% less chemical usage than conventional spraying – which leads to less environmental impact, the sprayer being direct and recycling also allows for minimal spray drift, really putting what needs applying to the vines and not the surrounding environment.

The Vines 

Our vines are sustainably produced from rootstock that the nurseries on the continent maintain and then graft onto selected quality pruning from the proven vines from top vineyards. In this way we can select those varieties that are best suited to the Hampshire terroir, climate and environment. We have tried to find combinations that work with where we are growing them – ideally this creates a successful partnership between grape and vineyard that works to the sustainability of both.

Power

We use diesel and electric power in our vineyard and winery. At Twyford we are installing a significant renewable energy capability comprising of Solar panels and battery storage that will power the majority of our energy needs apart from the heavy machinery like tractor and telehandler which will be replaced by electrical versions once these become commercially viable. The Vineyard will make all local deliveries to our customers using our electric vehicle and we will be using an electrical robotic mower to maintain our inter-row management. All our winery equipment will run electrically powered from our Solar panels and battery storage or from compressed air produced from our compressor which is powered by our renewable energy capability.

Weeding

Weeding is mainly done mechanically by a tractor drawn tiller that controls the worst of the weeds at the base of the vines – some spot spraying is done in localised areas where there is a specific problem. Weeds around the base of the vines threatens their health must be controlled to allow a sustainable crop.

Frost

Both sites are well protected from frost which means that we do not use interventions such as frost candles, sprays or wind machines. We hope for the weather to be kind.

Hand harvest

All harvesting is done by hand – this reduces disruption to the wildlife (often unseen) around the vines and allows us to be selective in our picking to ensure the vine is not overly stressed by producing too many grapes.

Pruning

This is done by hand each winter generally after the second frost and the cuttings are left on the ground between the vine rows then mulched which allows the goodness to return to the soil.

Wildlife

Our vineyards are in the Southdown’s National Park. We are surrounded by birds, trees, insects and animal life of all kinds. This is what makes our wines special but also sometimes threatens our vines. To help with this we have bird scarers on the mowers and kites that brighten the sky and put off the birds and deer when the grapes are ripening. Our young vines are protected by guards that mean the rabbits and deer are not a problem – they are not interested in the gnarly old vines. Overtime we hope to have our own bees – although vines do not need them as pollinators they add to the health of the plant life that we maintain on all our boundaries. Our logo is the Brilliant Emerald Dragonfly – a rare and vulnerable dragonfly that – if you are lucky - can be seen around the chalk rivers in Hampshire. https://hampshiredragonflies.co.uk/

Lights

We have human neighbours as well as animal neighbours. We are providing off road parking on an area close to the road to minimise unnecessary ingress into the field areas. Security is an important issue for any agricultural business so the barn needs to have some security measures – these will be solar powered and wherever possible minimise lighting up the night sky.

Suppliers

Although we have our own grapes, we need many others in the supply chain to create, bottle and deliver the wine from vineyard to customer. We always try to use local providers. For example - The Grange in Alresford is our chosen winemaker. Most of our vineyard equipment is second-hand and has been bought locally. Our website and photography are done by local people. There is always more we can do here and we consistently assess the choices we make about our suppliers against the following criteria:

• Proximity
• Environmental practices
• Values
• Recycling

Business

Longdown Vineyard is a business and to survive it must pay its way. However, managed properly, it can do this and be a part of the local community, investing in Winchester and other Hampshire events. Not only for profit! We love working with our neighbours – giving them opportunities for both paid and volunteer work in the Vineyard and supporting local events. To be sustainable we must reinvest the trust and confidence customers place in us by buying our wines by reinvesting in communities and events.

Events

Our events are not mass tourism – they will be small and curated to suit the group visiting and the environment in which we live and work. They will be inclusive and accessible. Noise and traffic disruption will always be minimised.

Customers

Our customers are mainly local – we may export later but our focus is on local presence. Our customers are keen to buy a quality, local product at a fair price from an independent, sustainable family business.

A business cannot be sustained except by happy, repeat customers that love the product.

Connections

Last but very much not least. We could not survive without the friends and community we have around us to support, help and buy our wine. It makes running a business fun and rewarding alongside the hard work and occasional heart ache!