User:Jcdeeley/Godstone Vineyards

http://www.godstonevineyards.com Godstone Vineyards was established in 1987 within a block of farmland which originally formed part of Quarry Farm. The vineyard was the first commercial vineyard to have been planted in Surrey for more than fifty years. The vines were planted in a field called 'Hopgarden', which - as its name suggests - had been cultivated with hops until the 1950's. During the 1970's and 1980's the land was under arable cropping, usually spring-sown barley for malting. However, the decline in farm commodity prices during the early 1980's necessitated the need to find alternative sources of income.

'Hopgarden' is a south-facing slope running along the foot of the North Downs, the soil is a free-draining Upper Greensand, and from the top of the field there are stunning views across the Surrey and Kent Weald towards Ashdown Forest in the far distance.

Godstone Vineyards was the inspiration of Mrs June Deeley, whose family has farmed the land since the 1970's.

Initial consultations as to the varieties to be planted and other cultural considerations were sought from Stephen Skelton, who at the time was winemaker at Lamberhurst Vineyards in Kent. The decision was made to plant Seyval Blanc and Kerner, and to use the Double-Guyot training system.