Grapes

Rothley is rich in geological variation and the  vineyard has a loamy, sandy soil on a sheltered south facing slope giving unique character and crisp flavour to the grapes which are trodden in the traditional manner by local peasants, well, friends and volunteers.

The 1200 vines are mainly planted on a double Sylvos trellis system. An adaptation of this is the “Kingfisher Curtain” trellis system which won the Midland Vineyard Association (MVA) David Stanley Award for innovation in 2012, and encouraging layering vines while they are bearing fruit.

White Wine Grapes

  • Orion
  • Siegerrebe
  • Solaris
  • Madeleine Angevine
  • Bacchus

Red Wine Grapes

  • Rondo
  • Regent
  • Pinot Noir Précoce (aka Frühburgunder)*
  • Cabernet Cortis

* This year we have used our Frühburgunder to make a rosé wine (Battle Royal)

We only use chemicals, such as fungicides, when there is a definite need and we never use insecticides. We use weed killer sparingly, when the vines are dormant from November to March and are using grass as a natural weed control. An agronomist carefully supervises our foliar feeding programme. For further details see our Sustainability page.