A Week on the Estate: Goldilocks Weather, First Calf & Terroir Tours
Given the woefully wet winter we’ve just endured, and the possibility of another scorching summer to come, we can’t complain about May. Both our Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival tour programme and our work on the land have benefited from a benign late spring. We’ve had a lot of sunshine and a bit of rain and it hasn’t been too hot or too cold. At the time of writing, we’re looking at grey skies and showers but the weekend is set fair for walking in the Wolds, with scattered sunshine and a temperature range of 18C-10C.
It’s all go out on the arable land. We did a spot of harrowing for the Pulse-PEP spring bean crop. This was done carefully as we wanted to kill off the first flush of weeds without displacing too much soil onto the beans. We harrow in preference to using agrichemicals to control unwanted growth. Nearby, another field got a short back and sides as we prepare to drill the forage crop that will help see our Lincoln Red herd through next winter. We’ve certainly enjoyed some glorious weather and the company of skylarks in full voice. Our organic, regenerative approach is paying dividends, boosting the health and vitality of the soil biome and the wildlife that depends on it.
Speaking of biodiversity, thanks to Richard Doan for bringing us more wonderful news: “A busy morning survey: so many birds! Highlights: a raven, two red kites, a corn bunting (the first I’ve recorded on the Estate!), a tree pipit fly-over & two lesser whitethroats. So many yellowhammers and skylarks also which is great to see.” Surveys like this really put a pep in our step. Click HERE to book a Birdwatching Walk and don’t forget to download one of the free apps that identify birds by their song; when the trees are in leaf, you’ll hear far more species than you’ll see, some of them rare and shy but still tuneful.
It’s just over a year since we planted 12,000 grape vines. Terroir matters in viniculture, but so does patience! We’re currently adding tags to our end posts and the photo shows the first of 281. Thanks to Caisley Tags for their help. The final Vineyard Tours of this year’s Outdoor Festival get underway this weekend, 25th and 26th May. Guests will get a tour of our vineyard with our knowledgeable Estate team, then we’ll adjourn to the Old School to crack on with the serious business of wine-tasting. Click HERE to book.
