In the vineyard
Despite a very wet January and February, we have finally wrapped up pruning! 168 hours of cuts, followed by 90 hours of pulling the canes out and finished off with 28 hours of tying down. Just in time too, as the buds have burst on both our Solaris and Pinot Noir Précoce vines. A big thanks to our Volunteers who helped us to battle through the pruning task, the vines are looking in fantastic shape for the season ahead!
Soon we’ll be starting our bud rubbing and shoot thinning, this removes shoots on the vine that we don’t want, such as those around the graft. It also helps to open up the canopy as we move through the year, allowing more air flow and so it is a very important next step in the vineyard calendar.
We have recorded one of our earliest Bud burst, with some lovely warm and sunny days really kicking the vines on. We just need to be cautious of frosty nights, which can wipe out our new shoots in one cold swoop.
In the bottle
Mel and Zoë have been out and about this month, pouring wine at Battlefield farm shop, as well as the Made in Shropshire Market which we attend every month (2nd Saturday) in Shrewsbury Square. We are also hosting one tour a month at the vineyard, where we have a good walk around the vines, learning all about the growing side of our business, followed by a tasting of 3 wines in our new(ish) tasting shed!
Our tours are a very relaxed way to see the vineyard, ask any questions you’d like and taste our range. The next dates are Saturday 9th May; Wednesday 22nd July and Saturday 8th August.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY!
We have lots of exciting events coming up over the next few months, here’s a taster!
Thursday 30th April – Harper Adams are hosting “The Shropshire Wine Revolution” at Shrewsbury Museum (Sold out)
Friday 8th May – Pop-up Fish Heads at the Vineyard! Join us for an evening of Fizz & Chips, no need to book, open 5pm to sell out. What3words Strictly.Intention.Removing
Saturday 9th May – Made in Shropshire, 9am- 5pm, The Square, Shrewsbury
Saturday 9th May – Tour & Tasting at the Vineyard, 11am, £25 pp includes a taste of 3 wines. Tickets: https://www.rowtonvineyard.co.uk/product/tour-tasting-9th-may/
Wednesday 20th May – Bottle Painting, 7pm – 9pm with local artist Lucy Caddel, £50 includes a welcome drink and a full bottle of wine of your choosing to paint and keep! Hosted at Rowton Barns, Tickets: Bottle Painting – Rowton
Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th May – Farm Fest, we’re heading to Stoneleigh Park to join Jeremy Clarkson and his merry team
Thursday 18th June – Flower Arranging evening with Will Simmons
Sunday 21st June – Our annual Vineyard Open Day!
Friday 26th June – Plein Air Watercolour painting class with lucy Caddel
