The Cowley Estate is a small experimental amateur vineyard in the village of South Cerney in Gloucestershire. It has been set up to gain experience in vineyard management and winemaking.
The vineyard covers only 0.02 hectares so "Estate" is a little tongue-in-cheek - the initial 25 vines (5 each Siegerrebe, Seyval Blanc, Phoenix, Madeleine Angevine and Chardonnay) were planted in early 2006 and grew so well that a further 76 (25 each of Siegerrebe, Seyval Blanc and Madeleine Angevine, and 1 Phoenix) were planted in April 2007. 15 Pinot Noir Early were planted in April 2008 and 8 more Chardonnay in April 2009.
Construction of a small winery began in October 2007. This is of strawbale construction with tyre foundations and rainwater harvesting (in case of drought).
We have been members of the South West Vineyards Association (SWVA) and the UK Vineyards Association since February 2007. I am also the editor of The Vine Post (bi-annual journal of the SWVA), and a member of the SWVA committee. For further information check out their websites: www.swva.info and www.ukva.org.uk.
In the summer of 2008 my employer asked me to investigate planting a commercial vineyard on his farm near Cirencester in Gloucestershire. We machine-planted 5.5 acres in May 2010 and a further 2 acres will be planted in 2011 - www.poultonhillestate.co.uk. I have also become involved in the establishment/management of another vineyard of 6 acres nearby - also planted in 2010 - The Co-operative. So it looks as though I am going to be busy! Watch this space... We hope you find our own little project interesting and visit us again in the not-too-distant future.
Robert & Gaynor Cowley
March 2011