Free business advice helps family-run vineyard to grow sustainably
6th September 2024
New Hall Wine Estate in Purleigh, Crouch Valley, Essex, has a central focus on sustainable innovation and maximising vine health and prosperity, whilst enhancing the ecology and biodiversity of the surrounding habitat.
Established in 1969, New Hall Wine Estate hosts some of England’s longest established vines, making soil and ecological health essential to the success of the business. Still family-owned and run to this day, currently managed by the third generation, they now have 120 acres under vine and an impressive newly built winery on site.
In 2024, they achieved eight awards for their Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Rosé, Barons Lane Red, Rosé and Signature wines.
The family-run vineyard was seeking to enhance the biodiversity benefits achievable on all aspects of the land, including the land between the vines and previously unutilised grass margins, to provide both ecological and economic benefits to the business.
It is for this reason that vineyard owner, Chris Trembath, opted for a review of agri-environmental schemes using Defra’s Future Farm Resilience Fund (FFRF). This provided him with access to free business support and advice from official FFRF provider and independent farming consultancy, Ceres Rural.
The first step was for Ceres Rural to visit the vineyard to review the viticultural parcels and ecological areas the business may wish to enhance, followed by a discussion regarding the relevant grant funding available, both now and in the future.
Several new options
The 60ha vineyard was already involved in a small-scale Countryside Stewardship management agreement, including wildflower mixes, cover cropping, and regenerative farming practices. However, discussions with Ceres Rural revealed there were several new options released under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which could reward the sustainable practices the business had already implemented, whilst also de-risking the provision of new ecological areas.
The business’ commitment to applying integrated pest management practices also strongly aligned with the principles of the SFI.
The vineyard now plans to establish new SFI areas, such as winter cover cropping between vines, to support soil health, improve pest management and advance temperature regulation to prevent frost damage to vines during the cooler months.
Chris noted: “These schemes have allowed us to receive financial support for the ecologically beneficial practices we were already delivering, but critically they’ll help us to secure wider funding to deliver our broader environmental goals.”
Beth Speakman, the Ceres Rural consultant who provided the support, shared: “The new environmental areas will not only protect the vines by improving the soil health and boosting the surrounding habitats, but also help to de-risk the business against future environmental and market instability.”
The FFRF report provided to the business also highlighted the Countryside Stewardship Capital Options available to the business to facilitate the completion of maintenance works. These included RP15: Concrete Yard Renewal and RP4: Livestock and Machinery Hardcore Tracks. Both will help transform the vineyard and prevent soil compaction by providing more suitable access routes between the vines. Ceres Rural has helped the business receive confirmation of a successful capital application, meaning works are due to commence later this year.
Chris concluded: “The capital funding allows us to improve our infrastructure and operate more efficiently, whilst also offering public good in protecting the surrounding hedges, ditches and wider water networks.”
What is the Future Farming Resilience Fund?
Running until March 2025, farmers can access one-to-one, free-of-charge advice and direction from the Defra initiative, helping them to identify changes now BPS support is removed and ELMS is introduced.
The Ceres Rural packages allow farmers to choose from a range of items, depending on their needs and level of detail required – gold, silver and bronze options are available.
Farm resilience reports, carbon audits, benchmarking updates, business plans, budgets and follow-up business reviews are accessible, with Ceres Rural consultants involved in the collection of data and delivery of results. Over 1,150 reports have been produced by Ceres Rural so far, with many more to be delivered in the next six months.
To register your interest in receiving free farm business advice, email futurefarming@ceresrural.co.uk, visit Ceres Rural online or call 01223 679679.
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