Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog - May 2025

GODSTONE • May 29, 2025

27th May 2025

My interest in weather forecasts borders on obsessiveness, and 2025 has
thus far been fascinating.

The ten year average rainfall at Godstone for the period 1st January -
31st May inclusive is 200mm; this year the accumulated total is 90mm. It
has been a very dry Spring as can be seen by the deep, wide cracks in the
soil throughout the vineyard.

Spring 2025 has also been the sunniest since records began 115 years ago.
The warm dry weather has continued throughout May due to a persistent area
of high pressure known as a “blocking high” reinforced by an amplified jet
stream which has trapped high pressure in place and led to the prolonged
dry spells.

On balance, unlike farmers who are trying to grow cereals and/or grass, a
vineyard benefits from a Spring such as 2025.

An established vine is able to withstand drought far better than most crops
thanks to their deep root systems which allow them to access moisture that
is not easily available to shallow-rooted plants. A newly planted vine
would need watering in a Spring such as 2025 but most of our vines are
almost 40 years old and have no moisture issues.

We would love to see you in June and will be open on two Saturdays:

BOOK A VISIT TO OUR VINEYARD FOR SAT 7th JUNE

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1343877988239?aff=oddtdtcreator

BOOK A VISIT TO OUR VINEYARD FOR SAT 21st JUNE

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1250419581629?aff=oddtdtcreator


Kind Regards

Jonathan

Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog - April 2025

By GODSTONE • April 4, 2025
April is a wonderful month when nature bursts into life after the dormancy of winter; one of my personal highlights is the sight and aroma of wild garlic in the woodlands on the approach to our vineyard. This bulbous perennial, with its distinctive and pungent garlicky smell, is common and widespread across the UK, most widely in deciduous woodland and on chalky soils. Wild Garlic is not to be confused with ‘Lily of the Valley’, especially since the latter is poisonous. Wild Garlic is an ancient woodland-indicator plant and its presence is a sign that you are in a rare and special habitat; it flowers early in Spring and is therefore an important early bloom for the bees and other insects which pollinate them. The bulbs are also a source of food for wild boars, not that I have ever encountered one in East Surrey! Wild Garlic was traditionally used in medicine - its bulb being a key ingredient in tonics for rheumatic problems and high cholesterol. It is nowadays a popular foraged ingredient (my brother makes an excellent wild garlic pesto!) - its leaves can be eaten raw in salads, blanched and used in place of spinach, or made into an interesting soup. April and May are the perfect months to view Wild Garlic and we will be open on one Saturday each month; you can also undertake our ‘Champagne Challenge’ where we see if you can taste the difference between Champagne and a glass of Godstone’s finest ! We’d love to see you. Book for Saturday 12th April https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/springtime-means-wine-time-at-godstone-vineyards-tickets-1128653175029?aff=oddtdtcreator Book for Saturday 17th May https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-summer-of-wine-at-godstone-vineyards-tickets-1250415659899?aff=oddtdtcreator Kind Regards to you all Jonathan

Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog - February 2025

By GODSTONE • February 24, 2025
We have passed “Candlemas Day” - 2nd February - traditionally the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. In bygone times “Candlemas” was the day of the year when all candles that were to be used in church during the coming year, were brought into church and a blessing was said over them; candles were very important, especially pre-industrial revolution, and some people believed that they gave protection against plague, illness, and famine. However, in reality, candles were important because there were no electric lights ! Snowdrops appear in February. According to legend, the snowdrop became a symbol of hope when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. When Eve was about to give up hope that the cold winters would never end, an angel appeared. She transformed some of the snowflakes into snowdrop flowers, proving that the winters do eventually give way to the spring. We have now settled upon opening one Saturday per month throughout the year, and, these are the dates from March until August should you wish to plan ahead: https://www.godstonevineyards.com/contact If you would like to come and admire the snowdrops in our woodland then we would be delighted to see you on Saturday 15th March. We will be offering tastings and wine sales, alongside platters of local cheeses and charcuterie (perfect for sharing over a bottle of our wine). Please book for Saturday 15th March using the link below: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/springtime-means-wine-time-at-godstone-vineyards-tickets-1128641620469?aff=oddtdtcreator Kind Regards to you all Jonathan