Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog 16th February 2022

Jonathan • February 17, 2022

We are blessed to have a vineyard which is situated within superb walking country, nestling as it does in a fold under the North Downs Way and within the Surrey Hills AONB.



A considerable number of our visitors pop in at the weekends for a ‘refresher’ (glass of Sparkling Wine !) and a pleasant break whilst on their walk. We are always delighted to welcome walkers. The North Downs Way has, in recent years, become an inspirational walk whereby one is following the actual footsteps of our forefathers who walked the Pilgrim’s Way - the historical route purportedly taken by pilgrims from Winchester to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury, a prehistoric route which follows the natural causeway east to west on the southern slopes of the North Downs.


Another walk - shorter - which is proving extremely popular is the Woldingham Circular Walk, which begins and ends at Woldingham Station. This is an absolutely delightful way to spend a day and our vineyard is at roughly the halfway point - there are some shortcuts available and if you want any tips please feel free to contact me !  I walked a section in early February and my glass of Godstone Sparkling Wine which I imbibed prior to setting off most certainly put a spring in my step.


I attach a few links to these walks :

https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/north-downs-way/

https://britishpilgrimage.org/portfolio/pilgrims-way-to-canterbury/

https://www.surreyhills.org/discover-route/woldingham-walk/


In the meantime I need to crack on with the vine pruning, which is now well underway, finish planting more hedges, and a myriad of other vital Winter jobs !

I wish you all a most enjoyable month.


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