From Winter Pruning to Spring Tastings: The Latest at Maud Heath Vineyard

As we welcome the longer days of spring, we’ve taken a moment to reflect on the past three months at Maud Heath Vineyard—where the weather has kept us on our toes, and progress continues both in the vineyards and in our visitor spaces.

January – A Quiet, Wet Start & Investing in the Future

The new year began with a characteristically damp and quiet January. With the vines in their dormant phase, our focus was on groundwork, planning, and, of course, navigating the seemingly endless rain!

In preparation for our vineyard expansion, we also invested in new equipment to help manage the increased workload efficiently and sustainably. We ordered a trimmer, de-leafer, and sprayer, all of which will play a vital role in vineyard maintenance while also supporting our commitment to environmentally responsible practices:

• Trimmer – Helps keep vine growth under control, ensuring that energy is directed toward grape development rather than excessive foliage. This also improves airflow, reducing the risk of disease.

• De-leafer – Removes excess leaves around the grape clusters, allowing better sunlight exposure and airflow. This natural approach enhances fruit ripening while reducing the need for chemical interventions.

• Sprayer – Essential for applying organic and protective treatments to the vines, helping to prevent disease while minimizing chemical use. Modern precision sprayers ensure targeted application, reducing waste and environmental impact.

  
  

These additions will allow us to maintain healthy vines, improve grape quality, and reduce the need for chemical treatments, all while keeping up with the demands of a growing vineyard.

February – Winter Pruning & Vineyard Improvements

February saw our team busy with winter pruning, a crucial task that sets the stage for healthy vine growth in the season ahead. Carefully cutting back each vine ensures strong development and ultimately helps produce the best possible fruit for future harvests.

During the winter break, we also took the opportunity to add new tags to all our vine lines, so that each row clearly indicates the grape variety being grown. This small but important update will not only help our team but also enhance the experience for visitors during vineyard tours- (watch this space)!

March – Preparing for New Vines & Site Progress

March has been an exciting month of preparation, as we’ve ploughed, limed, and replenished minerals in three new vineyard plots—getting the soil just right for planting new vines in May.

Meanwhile, at the vineyard entrance, building work has been moving forward (albeit slowly!). The new boundary wall and courtyard are starting to take shape, making way for what will eventually be an inviting space to welcome visitors. We’re working hard to make the area accessible ahead of the much-anticipated opening of our physical 'cellar door', where you can top up your wine stores and peruse other little wine related accessories!

Elsewhere in the vineyard, efforts are ongoing to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for tours and tastings. One exciting update: work is set to re-commence on our viewing platform—a perfect spot for taking in the stunning vineyard views.

Winemaking & New Releases

We’ve been working closely with our winemakers at Litmus to fine-tune our bottle types and guide the 2024 vintagesthrough the next stages of their maturation. One particularly exciting update—we expect our 2024 Bacchus to be ready in the next 4-6 weeks!

Meanwhile, we’ve officially sold out of our 2018 Chardonnay, but there’s something new to look forward to—our 2022 vintage Sparkling Pinot Noir Rosé is about to be released; simply the continuation of a classic.

Wines, Stockists & Upcoming Tastings

It’s been a fantastic few months for our wine sales! We’ve re-commenced our partnership with the Arkell’s group, meaning you can now find Maud Heath wines stocked in more locations. We also had a hugely successful opening weekend of sales at The Piggery Farm Shop in Devizes, and we’re excited to keep expanding our reach.

We’re also pleased to be setting up a number of spring tasting events soon, with dates to be confirmed at:

• Waitrose – Malmesbury, Marlborough, Cirencester, and Swindon

• The Piggery Farm Shop

• Arlington’s Farm Shop

  
  

We’d love to hear from you—where else would you like to see us? Let us know, and we’ll do our best to bring Maud Heath to you.

Join Us at the Three Wise Men Event – April 5th

We’re thrilled to announce that we will be exhibiting at the Three Wise Men event in Bristol on April 5th! This is a fantastic opportunity to sample our wines, meet our team, and enjoy a great day out. More details can be found at www.threewisemenbristol.co.uk.

Order Online – Free Local Delivery!

A little reminder—if you order through our website, we now offer free delivery within 15km of the vineyard! The perfect excuse to stock up on your favourite bottles without leaving home.

With spring in full swing, the next few months promise to be just as busy, and we can’t wait to share more updates soon!

Stay tuned and follow us for more behind-the-scenes glimpses of vineyard life.