The Vineyard

Planted in 2019 on 2 hectares with ortega, chardonnay, bacchus, and pinot noir. The vineyard benefits from being south-facing with a clay loam soil. The bedrock geology changes across the vineyard, from Tunbridge Wells Sand into the Wadhurst Clay Formation which has left our soils with just enough sand to drain well. There are Roman iron ore workings in the woods and the iron rich soil gives us red clay. Our vines are certified organic with the Soil Association.

The vineyard is 'no till', meaning we don't cultivate or plough. We don't use any herbicides so there is a lot of strimming, hand weeding and sheep grazing. We are close to the sea, a little over 4 miles to Covehurst Bay giving us greater light exposure, a lower frost risk but more wind. The vineyard shelters from this behind thick old hedges of oak, willow, and hawthorn plus we've planted a windbreak of apples, pears, poplar, quinces, and maple. We are committed to increasing biodiversity and we've identified 60+ types of plants growing in and around the vineyard. We benefit from a thriving ecosystem which we constantly try to improve.  All the work is done by Phil Harris and his 3 children with help from our excellent friends and neighbours at harvest time.