About Us

In late May 2004, the day-to-day management of Vicarage Lane's St Leonards Road vineyard, along with 35 hectares owned by a new vineyard company, The Brothers Vineyard Partnership, reverted from local contract management to VLW, who now carries out the vineyard operations described below.

Subsequently, Vicarage Lane has also taken over the management of 2 vineyards for other companies, giving a total area of 65 hectares and a total harvest that exceeded 1000 tonnes for the first time in 2016.

After harvest each year, once the leaves have dropped from the vines and the sap flow ceased, the 65 hectares of vineyards undergoes winter pruning, with the previous seasons growth cut back to just four canes.

All vines are grown on a standard upright canopy trellis, using four cane vertical shoot positioning (VSP) training system. This system produces the best quality of fruit, while allowing easier management of ground areas between and under the rows.

At the same time, blocks that are not being pruned are grazed by mobs of sheep from a local farm, providing feed when it is often less available, while sustainably “processing” weeds and return them to the soil.

When pruning is complete, removed canes are mulched to allow them to break down and provide a natural source of fibrous matter in the soil. At the same time soil samples are taken and analysed, so a programme of fertilising can be undertaken, if required, with just the right minerals needed for the plants well being.

For the final part of winter work, the wires that have held the heavy summer canopy in place are lowered to the ground in anticipation of new spring growth, while any plants that have been damaged or died during previous seasons are removed for replacement in the spring.