Lokkelebery Vineyard have a small batch of mixed vines for sale this Spring from our nursery. Find out more about the vines and how they grow below.
About the vines
The nursery vines were planted in May 2022 along with the rest of the vineyard as spares for any ‘no-grows’ in the vineyard. We are very fortunate that we had a very low mortality rate in our planting (and in the years since), and so have not needed the batch of vines which we are now selling.
The vines are a mixture of our 4 varietals, and by extension the 16 different clone to rootstock combinations we have in the vineyard. The main varietals in the mix are Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Precose. Due to planting on a commercial scale, the nursery plants were not directly labelled, and so when purchasing it will be a lucky dip as to which vine you may end up purchasing!
Growing your vine
When you take home your vine, it will appear as little more than a small stick with buds and roots. It is essential to handle your vine with care so as not to knock the buds off; these are your future fruiting canes. The vine will grow very quickly, especially if grown in a tube. We would recommend growing in a tube to encourage upward growth and defend against predators, and also to have a rod to train the vine. In time when a dominant ‘trunk’ becomes clear at winter pruning, it can be attached to the rod to encourage straight upward growth. After 3 years, the guard (if you have used one) may also be removed.
Grow your vine in a sunny spot, ideally against a fence/wall/trellis. They are not fussy about soil type, although for best results grow in the ground rather than a pot as vines have deep tap roots. Water in your vine, but afterwards take care not to overwater; vines do not like ‘wet feet’ and thrive when they are searching for water (albeit not in a desert!).
Prune your vine hard in the winter before buds appear. If you wish to train your vine, tie it down at the end of March along a horizontal wire/trellis. To reduce disease pressure (depending on the year), you may consider thinning some of the leaves on the vine, especially around the fruit to ensure they receive a good amount of sunlight. Beware though, in a hot year it can be wise to leave more leaves around the fruit to protect them from sunburn. Harvest your grapes in September/October. They are seeded and best used in juice or wine.
How can I order a vine or two?
You can order your vines via the link provided above. The vines are collection only, and we have 2 collection slots available. There is limited stock available so please order now to avoid disappointment. We hope you enjoy your very own Lokkelebery vines!
