One of the things we love most about growing grapes is that no two days are ever quite the same. Every season brings new challenges, new jobs and new reasons to head out into the vineyard.
If you visit Heron Farm more than once, you’ll notice something different every time. Here’s a glimpse into what life in our vineyard looks like throughout the year.
January – Winter Pruning Begins
While the vineyard may appear asleep, winter is one of our busiest times of year.
This is when we begin pruning the vines, one of the most important jobs in the vineyard calendar. Each vine is carefully cut back by hand to control the amount of fruit it will produce during the coming season. Good pruning is essential for healthy vines and high-quality grapes.
It’s a slower, quieter time in the vineyard, but one that lays the foundations for everything that follows.
February – Preparing for a New Season
Pruning continues throughout February as we work methodically along every row of vines.
On crisp winter mornings, the vineyard has a beauty all of its own. Without leaves, you can clearly see the structure of every vine and appreciate the craftsmanship involved in shaping them year after year.
Although the vines still appear dormant, spring is getting closer.
March – Tying Down the Vines
As temperatures begin to rise, the vineyard starts to wake.
One of the key jobs this month is tying down the fruiting canes onto the wires. This helps guide the new shoots as they emerge and encourages even growth throughout the season.
It’s also a time of anticipation as we watch carefully for the first signs of budburst.
April – The First Signs of Life
Spring finally arrives in the vineyard.
Tiny buds begin to burst open, revealing bright green shoots that seem to appear almost overnight.
This is one of our favourite times of year. After months of winter work, the vineyard suddenly feels full of promise.
It’s also when nature really comes alive, with wildflowers beginning to bloom and birds becoming increasingly active around the vineyard.
May – Rapid Growth
By May, the vines are growing at an astonishing pace.
New shoots stretch upwards every day, and the vineyard quickly transforms into a sea of vibrant green.
This is when careful canopy management begins. We remove unwanted shoots, helping improve airflow and ensuring the vine focuses its energy where it’s needed most.
Every decision we make now influences the quality of the grapes we’ll harvest in autumn.
June – Flowering
June is a crucial month.
Tiny flowers appear on the vines, and if the weather is kind, they’ll successfully pollinate and develop into grapes.
It’s a fascinating process, although many visitors are surprised by just how small and delicate the flowers actually are.
Good weather during flowering often gives us our first indication of what kind of harvest we might expect later in the year.
July – Tiny Grapes Appear
By midsummer, the flowers have transformed into tiny bunches of grapes.
The vineyard is looking lush and full, and the pace of work continues as we carefully manage the canopy to allow sunlight and fresh air to reach the developing fruit.
It’s also one of the most beautiful times to visit, with the vineyard surrounded by long summer days and the gardens in full bloom.
August – Watching and Waiting
August is a month of patience.
The grapes continue to ripen, gradually developing flavour, sweetness and balance.
Every day we monitor the vineyard carefully, keeping an eye on weather forecasts and checking how the fruit is progressing.
Although harvest is getting closer, nature always decides exactly when the grapes are ready.
September – Harvest Time
Harvest is undoubtedly the highlight of the vineyard year.
After months of care, the grapes are finally picked and sent for winemaking.
Harvest is exciting, busy and often slightly unpredictable, with weather playing a huge role in deciding exactly when picking begins.
There’s a real sense of celebration as another vintage gets underway.
October – The Vineyard Changes Colour
As harvest comes to an end, the vineyard takes on beautiful autumn colours.
Golden leaves catch the afternoon sunshine before eventually falling, allowing the vines to prepare for winter dormancy once again.
It’s one of the most photogenic times of year and a wonderful season for vineyard walks.
November – Preparing for Winter
The vineyard begins to slow down.
Leaves have fallen, the vines return to their winter structure and we begin reflecting on the season that’s just passed.
Maintenance work starts again, equipment is serviced and plans begin for next year’s growing season.
December – A Time to Reflect
Winter brings a welcome sense of calm.
Although the vineyard appears quiet, we’re already preparing for another year ahead, reviewing the vintage and looking forward to spring.
The landscape feels completely different from summer, reminding us that wine is shaped by every season, not just harvest.
Every Season Tells a Different Story
No matter when you visit Heron Farm, you’ll see the vineyard at a different stage of its journey.
That’s one of the joys of English wine. Every bottle begins long before the grapes are harvested, shaped by months of careful work, changing weather and the rhythm of the seasons.
Whether you’re joining us for your first vineyard tour or returning to see how things have changed, there’s always something new to discover.
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