Picking a Vineyard Location

Many people are now considering planting a few vines, or a field of vines to join the expanding number of Viticultuarlists and wine producers in the UK.  One of the first considerations is where you’re thinking about planting your vines.

If its one or two plants then a sheltered south facing garage wall would be ideal, however, for those with bigger ambitions, you need to consider the best site and location to maximise the group.

The ideal climatic factors for grapevines include:

• Drier conditions over rainy conditions

• Protected sites over wind exposed sites

• Warmer heat traps over cooler damper areas

• Sunnier locations over those which have large number of cloudy or foggy days

You might say that in the UK this is not possible, but you will be surprised with the right locations and the right vines you can be very successful.  Therefore, in the UK the ideal sites would hope to have:

• A south facing or SE or SW facing field with a small incline.  This means that the vines all get the early morning sun which helps kicks start the plants growth each day. 

• No known frost pockets, as vines especially in April when they are budding are susceptible to frost damage.

• 15 to 50m elevation, too high and you’ll get cooler days and/or blown away!

• Near a river or coast for temperature moderation both hot and cold.  If there is a water body nearby this tends to moderate extremes of weather

• Shelter from the wind such as natural barriers of hedges and trees which will protect the vines from the prevailing winds. Winds do help reduce diseases as they dry the vines, but too much reduces photosynthesis and can also scotch the vines.

• The right balance in the soils to help them grow.  Vines are very resilient plants and will grow regardless, but getting the right soil types which include good drainage and the right chemical balance can help produce healthy plants which resist disease.

Don’t worry if you don’t have all these factors, you can still successfully grow grapes.  At the Vinehouse UK we can help you find the right location to start this wonderful journey into wine.   

We can help you test the soils for suitability and also help you work out the right vines to fit your plot.