How to Establish a Vineyard - Planting with Chris Buckley of VineWorks Part 2
This show was published Friday, November 7, 2025
- How to Establish a Vineyard - Planting with Chris Buckley of VineWorks Part 2
Overview
How to Establish Your Vineyard: From Ground Prep to Planting
Episode Summary:
In this second part of our vineyard establishment series, Chris Scott continues his conversation with Chris Buckley, Business Director at Vine Works, to explore the next crucial stages after selecting your vineyard site.
From choosing grape varieties and clones to understanding soil preparation and planting techniques, this episode takes you step-by-step through the process of turning bare land into a thriving vineyard. Whether you’re planning a commercial venture or a lifestyle project, this guide is essential listening for anyone dreaming of growing grapes in the UK.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Selecting Your Vines
Choosing grape varieties, clones, and rootstocks suited to your soil and goals.
Understanding long lead times for vine orders (up to two years).
How early decisions shape your vineyard’s long-term success.
2. Ground Preparation
Checking if planning permission is needed (especially for pastureland).
Working with agronomists to assess soil health and nutrient requirements.
Spraying off weeds and adding key nutrients such as boron and potassium.
Using cover crops like mustard to protect and enrich soil over winter.
Subsoiling in spring to break up compacted layers 50–60 cm deep for better root establishment.
3. Precision Planting
Modern GPS-guided planting for accuracy within 1–2 cm.
Why proper soil texture (“fine tilth”) helps vine roots settle and thrive.
4. Early Vine Care & Protection
Installing rods (tutors) and grow tubes to shelter vines from pests and create a warmer microclimate.
Timing the construction of trellising systems (metal posts and wires for vertical shoot positioning).
5. The First Years of Growth
Year 1–2: Focus entirely on root development — pruning back to two buds to strengthen the base.
Year 3–4: Training the vine structure; establishing the trunk and laying down the first fruiting canes.
Expecting the first small crop around year four in UK conditions.
Resources & Links:
Resources & Links:
- Vine Works UKVineyard establishment and management experts.
- Listen to Part 1: Choosing the Perfect Vineyard Site
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Music
The music used for the UK Wine Show is Griffes de Jingle 1 by Marcel de la Jartèle and Silence by Etoile Noire.
