Growing Jewels
It only recently occurred to us in the frenzy of planting, that our vineyard is a Jubilee vineyard, planted in the 70th year of Her Majesty’s reign.
With this in mind, we have been very excited to see the first few shoots emerge from our baby vines in the last few weeks. To celebrate these wonderful milestones, we thought we would finally answer the question on everyone’s lips: what have we actually planted? While most know we have planted vines, we have yet to officially reveal the varieties we have planted. What better occasion to share this special news than on the Jubilee weekend!
Varieties, clones and grafts
When planting a vineyard, the varieties of vines which you plant are vital. They decide what sort of wines you might like to produce, whether that be sparkling, white, rosé or red. Additionally, certain varieties are more suitable to certain sites or climates, so choosing the wrong vine could be detrimental to your final crop quality and yield.
In addition to the overarching varieties, we also had to choose the individual clones within those varieties to suit our climate and growing needs. Thankfully, we had the help of Vinescapes to navigate these extremely complicated decisions. With the help of soil samples, climate analysis, and lengthy discussions with wine makers and ourselves based on our wine preferences for future, Vinescapes were able to select the appropriate clones of each variety.
However, the tailoring does not stop at the varieties and clones. The vine clones themselves are also specifically and individually designed for our vineyard through a technique called ‘grafting’. Grafting is a technique that ‘joins the tissues of two plants together so they continue to grow as one plant.’* These hybrid vines have many benefits, including*:
- pest residence
- better tolerance to environmental conditions such as pH, lime content and moisture levels
- differing vigor levels which allow us to predict and control yields
So, while we only have 4 varieties planted, within those varieties there are many clones, species and grafts which are tailored to our soil and environment. Much like agriculture, the science behind viticulture is mind boggling, but the more we tailor the crop to our surroundings, the better the yields and more sustainable the vineyard management can be. This is a practice we follow continually as farmers, as we work with nature to grow our crops in a precise and efficient way.
Introducing the Lokkelebery Varieties
Pinot Noir
A red wine grape variety grown mostly in cooler climates. The grape is chiefly associated with the Burgundy region of France but also Champagne and English sparkling wines. Tasting notes include strawberry, vanilla (oak), red cherry (warmer climates). Our burgundy clones of pinot noir are specifically used for still rosé, and in a tropical year we may even be able to produce a red wine.
Chardonnay
A green-skinned grape variety used in the production of white wine. The variety originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France. Tasting notes for Chardonnay grown in cooler climates include apple and lemon. If we are lucky, we may be able to produce a still Chardonnay wine in a warm year.
Pinot Meunier
A variety of red wine grape most noted for being one of the three main varieties used in the production of Champagne (the others being Pinot Noir and Chardonnay). Pinot Meunier is gaining recognition for the body and richness it contributes to Champagne and English sparkling wines. Tasting notes include red fruits (strawberry, raspberry, cherry), minerality and forest floor (earthy, mushroom).
Pinot Noir Précoce
A dark, blue-black–skinned, variety of grape which is a form of Pinot noir, but differs essentially by ripening earlier than normal. Tasting notes are similar to that of Pinot Noir; fruity (red berries).
Making History
As we head into summer this year, the busiest season for arable farmers like us, we are watching eagerly as our baby vines grow. In the neighbouring field, we will soon be harvesting barley for beer, and in a few years time we will hopefully be harvesting these vines for wine! So cheers to our Jubilee vineyard and our many congratulations to Her Majesty on her Platinum Jubilee!
*’What is grafting and why is it important in the vineyard?’, Decanter, Wu. S., 2020
