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 - 15th May 2026

By GODSTONE • May 15, 2026
May 15th The changeable weather has been the main talking point this Spring in the vineyard. Plus cest la meme chose! March was a mild and changeable month with periods of settled weather interspersed with periods of indifferent weather, the provisional mean temperature was 1.3 degrees Celsius above average; April, on the other hand, was dominated by a static anticyclone which blocked North Atlantic low pressure systems, resulting in a very dry, settled, and sunny month. April was a false dawn. May has been an extraordinary month with a distinctly chilly feel especially at night - many vineyards across England are reporting significant frost damage to the young buds which will, inevitably, result in yield reduction. Godstone is planted on slopes below the North Downs which allow cold air to drain away, flowing downhill and collecting in lower spots out of harms way so, fingers crossed, we appear to have escaped the worst of the cold nights. If you wish to read more about the science and reasoning behind vineyards planted on a slope or flat ground I highly recommend this article: https://grape-to-glass.com/index.php/flat-slope-vineyards/ We always love to see you and are now open every Saturday until mid September - plentiful free parking, stroll the vineyard, relax over a glass of wine with a sharing platter of carefully curated local cheeses and charcuterie, booking is recommended and greatly assists with our planning. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1987770961455?aff=oddtdtcreator Regards, Jonathan & Robert

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