Jonathan's Vineyard Blog October 2022

Jonathan • October 17, 2022

Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog

17th October 2022


Another year, another harvest!


Our grapes were picked under cloudless blue skies on Sunday 9th October in perfect conditions and thank you very much indeed to all the volunteers who so kindly gave their time to help - we hope that your day was an enjoyable one.


The above image of grape picking was taken by an excellent local photographer called Mick Rock and his beautiful images can be viewed (and purchased) via https://www.cephas.com - just search Godstone on his website to see a drone’s eye view of our harvest!


This year we picked a 50/50 split of Bacchus and Seyval Blanc grapes; the sugar levels were the highest that we have ever achieved at Godstone whilst the pH and acidity were both excellent, all of which leads me to believe that this harvest will produce a superb still white wine that will be available in our shop from May/June 2023.


The hot, dry Summer definitely contributed towards the quality of our grapes although I like to believe that our husbandry - which has moved up a gear - has also made a positive impact upon the quality.


The next two months are relatively quiet times in the vineyard, which is a relief, although we will keep busy with planting more hedges and doing some general maintenance. I am also hoping to squeeze in some days out, pub lunches, jump racing, and watching West Ham! 


Our shop is open every weekend throughout autumn and winter, 10.30am-4.30pm, and we are always delighted to welcome you. If you haven’t already tasted our Sparkling Wine from the 2020 harvest then I would urge you to do so! There is a taste of English Summer in every bottle!


Kind Regards


Jonathan

jcdeeley@godstonevineyards.com

Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog - February 2026

By GODSTONE • January 29, 2026
1st February 2026 February 2nd is known as Candlemas and, apparently, the weather on this day will determine the remainder of the Winter ! Britain being Britain we have folklore sayings such as If Candlemas be fair and clear there'll be two Winters in one year although, in the interests of positive thinking I prefer this one - If Candlemas be fair and bright, Winter'll have another flight. But if Candlemas Day be clouds and rain, Winter is gone and will not come again. Therefore keep a close eye on the weather on February 2nd and if it rains then this might be a silver lining! Irrespective of the weather, Winter is always a surprisingly busy time in our vineyard and this one has proved no exception: pruning the vines, planting new hedging, sprucing up our shop and terrace, all of which has kept us on the straight and narrow. As a vigneron you cannot reasonably expect me to do Dry January and, true to form, in the past month I have been experimenting with some outstanding white Burgundies and several local real ales! It's a tough job but someone had to do it. We decided to stay closed between January and the end of March however I am pleased to say that we will reopen on Saturday 4th April, after which we will have many open days throughout the Spring, Summer, and Autumn. If you would like to visit us during April and/or May please register your interest - free of charge - via the links below: Saturday 4th April https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1978775826765?aff=oddtdtcreator Easter Monday 6th April https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979663039442?aff=oddtdtcreator Bank Holiday Monday 4th May https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979663129712?aff=oddtdtcreator Kind Regards Jonathan

Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog -November 2025

By GODSTONE • November 5, 2025
We have arrived at the end of another year in the vineyard and I am delighted to say that the vines have excelled themselves in what was, admittedly, a very good year to be cultivating grapes in England. The disappointment of no harvest in 2024 was a distant memory on Sunday 5th October when, under cloudless blue skies, we picked top quality grapes which will be made into a Sparkling Wine for release in 2028; the grapes had an almost perfect balance of acidity and natural sugar, excellent quality with barely any disease. I would venture to say that 2025 will match 2022, which was the last great vintage in England, time will tell ! I would like to thank those of you who helped with the harvest and also for your efforts throughout the Spring and Summer, it is greatly appreciated and we couldn’t do it without you ! As many of you know by now, our vineyard is planted predominantly with a variety called Seyval Blanc, which - in our opinion - is ideally suited to English conditions. Undoubtedly the doyen of Seyval Blanc was Peter Hall, of Breaky Bottom vineyard near Lewes, and it is with great sadness that we learnt of his passing last month. My brother and I were fortunate to have a private audience with him in 2024 in which he imparted some valuable tricks of his trade ! His obituary (below) gives you a feel for this incredible vigneron who will be much missed. English wine has lost a great character. https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/tribute-peter-hall-1943-2025 Rest In Peace, Peter Hall, 1943-2025 Kind Regards Jonathan