Starting a Vineyard from Scratch Part 1. Ground Preparation.

Ground preparation for a vineyard was the first step in our journey to produce our very own english wine. We decided to start a vineyard in our little corner of paradise in Herefordshire.

However, before we could plant anything, we need to sort out the field which was in a poor state.The field was approximately 1 acre of loamy soil with some light clay.

Not idea for grapes but we work with what we have. The ground slopes approximately 10 degrees to the East South East direction.

Step 1. Cutting down the upper slope hedges that made long shadows over the field. Sorting branches out into different sizes for logging.

Step 2. Treating the field with weedkiller (glyphoshate) to get rid of all the couch grass, nettles, brambles etc
Step 3. Subsoiling the ground to help with drainage and also help with the ploughing stage

Step 4. PloughingStep

5. Crushing the big clods from the ploughStep

6. HarrowingStep

7. SeedingStep

8. Chain HarrowingStep

9. Rolling.

10. Have a glass of wine and look at all the hard work done.

Equipment and Companies used:
Stilh Chainsaws MS230 and MS170
Remet R120 Branch Logger
Jordan Lee Farm Services
Little Orange tractor is a Kubuta L3845
Quad bike was a Yamaha
Big Red tractor is a Massey Ferguson
Big Blue Tracto is a New Holland
Drone shots were by a DJI Spark
Ground Video was using a Canon D600
Software used was Filmora Wondershare 9

If you want to see my other channel that is completely unrelated to this one then you can do so on this link:

[oryben]

I stumbled upon this randomly and this has been incredible. My wife and I live in Ontario, sandwiched between two wine regions . We love wines and love learning about them. Please keep it up!

[DJ-ukmm]

Hi there I really appreciated this video I’ve just decided to become a farmer I don’t know anything about farming but I’m currently buying a piece of land and I’ve enrolled At the University of YouTube (LOL)I’m particularly interested in regenerative farming/ permaculture agroforestry and alley cropping….. also growing from Miscanthus for bio fuel and straw bales for construction.
Came across your video as I thought about planting a small vineyard. The soul on the land I had to purchase is talking with natural springs so I should be okay for irrigation water it’s also Southwest facing which I’m guessing should be good for planting a vineyard.Thank you for sharing your progress excited to see how you get on :-)

[paulbraga]

wonderful. i would had a soil test though...mygreathanks and blessings

[e.m.doherty]

Thank you for sharing this. Ive seen all your videos. I have just planted a micro vineyard in my South facing sloped garden on the South Coast, chalk ground. I have some Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc. I have two spaces left because I want to plant a native breed. Do you know of a native English white drinking grape and could you help point me in the right direction of where to get it? Many thanks.

[pauleaton]

Brilliant looking great, your clearly a very proficient bodger! We've got a small wood full of ash die back so this could be a great way to be resilient I the future, and a fun science project to do with my lad one day😎👍

[shubhamghosh]

Five years ago I watched a series on motovlogging to pursue my passion and I have probably achieved great feats in it.
Today after five years I've subscribed to a completely new web series to achieve my ambition.
Thank you and @youtubeindia

[arotogtech]

Lovely and inspiring stuff. I'm harbouring intentions to own my own vineyard some day. How big is your land? Who does the planning, designs, and where to plant etc?? I surely wouldn't mind to pay for your professional knowledge should it require. I have liked and subscribed.

[preppysquirrel]

I mow several inches of fescue a week, in summer nearly a foot.

[coolpants]

Incredible and inspiring. Good luck! I've subscribed

[kokkorug]

Hello. From 5.27 in the video, what is the name of the seed you planted? How often do you plan to plough and sow seeds? If you are going to plough and sow seeds again after a certain period, will you be using the same seed?

[KristofferLance]

Fascinating video. I have land in a wine-growing region and have often fantasized about starting my own vineyard. Quick question... what is the point of the grass?

[Jason-os]

Cheer~~~a plantation of grapevines, typically producing grapes used in winemaking.😊

[antoniolopes]

My heart ached when I saw you burning stuff. That organic material could have been chopped to pieces and integrated in the compost pile. Soil would thank you for your kindness.

[ElCorozo]

Great video, I really enjoyed it, greetings from Mexico!

[brianbarnes]

It's a lot of work doing this. I've started a similar project earlier this year and have four rows of grapes in. I suspect (depending on where you are) that you are going to have a problem with deer! I know I am. That's not going to stop me though. I've taken up shooting them and eating them.

[Joel-ssdw]

Hold on….you had a field full of grass, sprayed it with roundup, then reseeded with grass seed? Because there was too much compaction from the sheep grazing? Im so confused.

[gatsbylight]

*Glyphosphate?!??* Though it often breaks down within a few weeks or a couple of months, that stuff can stay in the soil (and thereby affect ANY green thing trying to grow in that soil) for many months or even as long as a year.

[streetgainer]

Could I ask why seed grass directly over where the vines will be? I thought it supposed to be totally cleared of grass and weed.

[freddiegray]

Hello, I have started my own mini vineyard but Iam curious where you bought your vines from as I can’t find a place to purchase them. Many thanks from Freddie

[davejones]

Out of interest did you think of planting white cover with the fescue as a nitrogen fixer ?