Grape vines

[Piggle]

Hi all.

Was just ordering if anyone grows their own grapes? I've got a fare amount of space on the allotment and was thinking of doing a few rows.

If so what vines do you grow and what sort of yield do you get. In short is it worth it?

Cheers

 

[krazypara3165]

I have tried alas im too far north (cheshire) to grow any variety without a greenhouse

 

[tonyhibbett]

Where you live, the site itself, soil quality and the type of wine you intend to produce, the yield you expect, predators and the long timescale involved to mature the vines, plus the cost of vines, poles, wires, netting, fungicides, equipment such as fruit crusher, press, fermenting and storage, bottling, corking and labelling need to be considered. There is also a great risk that the wine produced may be rather disappointing, as well as being very expensive. I speak from experience. Currently, the cost per bottle from my small (2 allotment) vineyard is about £25, even though I pay no rent, and the quality is not that great. Theoretically, the cost should decrease significantly in time, but damage caused by the winter storms have imposed extra cost. Although no actual flooding has occurred, the waterlogged ground, the high winds and heavy rain have prevented me from completing the complex and essential task of winter pruning, which requires expertise.
Nonetheless, I still consider the pursuit of homegrown wine worthwhile.

 

[Piggle]

Thanks you so much for this. It makes complete sense. So to sum it up it's basically exactly the same as any allotment produce. I think everything I grow on my allotment works out expensive at best bloody expensive at worse. I dread to think how much each egg from my chickens cost! But that's not the reason we we grow or brew!!! :-)

We're in Oxfordshire and a lovely sunny plot with nice free draining flinty soil so worth a go.

 

[tonyhibbett]

Location and soil good, but check pH. Neutral to slightly alkaline is best.
Some councils are strict about permanent structures and plants on allotments.
When buying vines, make sure they are suitable for wine and not just dessert varieties, and also not late ripening.

 

[calumscott]

We're in Oxfordshire and a lovely sunny plot with nice free draining flinty soil so worth a go.

You're in a different bit of Ox to me then! I've got a lovely sunny plot with claggy horrid clay. I've got one hell of a vine though! It's not productive, mind, it was grown for aesthetics by the previous owner and I'm struggling to find the time to bring it back to a productive state.

I say give it a go! We do actually get quite a lot of sunshine here... (sometimes... )

 

[tonyhibbett]

Recent local roadworks have revealed amazing red London clay. Despite all the recent rain, this stuff is hard and dry.
As for allotment economics, I am inclined to agree, with the exception of potatoes, which I originally grew to clear the weeds. The weeds keep on coming, but so do the potatoes, without buying any seed potatoes.