Year in the vines – part 18

I was back amidst the vines this week after an enforced four week hiatus. The enforcement was entirely beyond my control: each time I tried to go I was thwarted by an act of God. First rain, then snow, then the cashpoint ate my card, and finally I went on a trip to see some of Brazil’s vineyards (about which more soon). Granted, the last excuse perhaps warrants less sympathy.

My last report from Gusbourne Estate was an icy encounter with deep winter pruning; this week felt much more like spring. There was a pre-dawn chorus tweeting away as I...