With growing interest in British wine and over 1000 UK vineyards, agronomy business Hutchinsons has published a vineyard agronomy guide , alongside the launch of an accompanying support service.
The guide is aimed at those coming into the sector, but can also be a useful reminder for more experienced growers.
Divided into six sections, it covers everything from soil preparation, rootstock selection and ongoing nutrition, through to pest, disease and weed control.
There is also advice on sprayer calibration and tank mix sequencing, as well as conversion tables and a list of approved crop protection materials, which will be updated annually.
“There are now more than 1,000 vineyards registered in the UK, and a lot of those are quite small sites, perhaps covering just a couple of acres, where growers may not necessarily be able to justify full in-person agronomy support,” says agronomist Rob Saunders.
“This guide is part of a new service Hutchinsons is offering to provide those smaller-scale growers with access to sustainable, high quality agronomy advice and ongoing support.
“Seasons such as the one just gone have really highlighted the importance of good crop management and well-planned crop protection in maintaining a productive vineyard.”
A growing market
Figures from WineGB published this year suggest a growing market, with registered vineyards up 9% when compared to 2023. The 1,030 businesses cover 4,209ha, with the average size being around 4ha.
This masks considerable variation, Hutchinsons notes, with a mix of large commercial producers and sub-1ha small-scale growers, as well as conventional farming businesses looking to diversify.
The Hutchinsons Vineyard Guide is available free of charge. Interested parties can register at www.hutchinsons.co.uk.
Those wanting additional agronomy support can also sign up for a tailored subscription package, costing £285/yr. This includes a copy of the guide, as well as any updates, one leaf/petiole analysis per year, monthly bulletins, telephone support and the option for in-person visits.
