You may have noticed on our social posts that we've been busy planting vines (if you haven't seen our posts yet, please look us up on Facebook and Instagram to follow our journey!). While expanding our range of naturally flavoured pressés and herb-infused salts, we're also venturing into viticulture with the goal of establishing our own vineyard.
Two years ago, we planted Seyval Blanc and Pinot Gris, selecting these varieties for their potential to thrive in our North Devon climate. However, the local weather and soil conditions have presented challenges, and while the vines have shown some progress, they haven't flourished as we had hoped.
This year, we're adopting a fresh approach by experimenting with two new grape varieties (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir) and testing different planting locations around the farm. Given North Devon's rolling hills, we're particularly optimistic that our south-facing slopes, which benefit from ample sun exposure and natural water runoff, will provide ideal conditions for these new plantings to thrive.
Our journey is inspired by the success of other local vineyards in Devon. For instance, Venn Valley Vineyard, located near Barnstaple, has been producing award-winning wines since its establishment in 2016. Similarly, Saunton Vineyard, situated between the hamlets of Lobb and Saunton, has embraced a low-intervention approach to winemaking, working closely with nature to cultivate their vines.
Over the next couple of years, we'll be closely monitoring growth, refining our methods, and identifying the best locations for future vine plantings. It's a learning process, but one we're incredibly excited about. With patience and the right conditions, we hope to be bottling our own homegrown wine before too long!