Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog September 26th

September 26, 2022

Jonathan’s Vineyard Blog

September 2022


We are in the final furlong of this year’s growing season and harvest is fast approaching.

I have been reading in the national press all kinds of predictions about a stellar grape harvest thanks to the very hot Summer however, from my observations, I would say that the potential yield is only slightly above average (possibly due to some losses earlier in the season due to late frosts) although I remain cautiously optimistic that the quality will make up for quantity and, so far as we are concerned at Godstone, the main driver behind all that we do is our objective of producing top quality wine.


The next three weeks will see me in a heightened state of paranoia as I watch the weather forecast every evening, praying for dry weather, and hoping that the birds leave our grapes alone. Other than that I really enjoy late September !  It’s a melancholy month with beautiful sunrises and sunsets, watery sunshine, the last remnants of Summer before we bunker down for another winter.


I am really proud of all the new hedges which we have planted over the past 20 years and I attach with this article a photo which shows a five year old beech hedge. I still remember standing out on a bitterly cold winters’ day, planting this hedge by hand, and thinking that I must be mad going to so much trouble but now, looking at such a glorious addition to our landscape, I know that all the effort was worthwhile. I have to admit that my hip flask filled with sloe gin, on a cold winters’ day, really aids the hedge planting process !


Our shop is open every weekend between 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