The Healthy Vineyards project explores practical ways of improving the health of vineyard land in the Kent Downs, building on the findings of the Kent Downs Sustainable Viticulture Scoping Study.
The project looks at how vineyard management can support soil health, biodiversity and regenerative processes alongside grape production.
Why Healthy Vineyards?
Viticulture is an increasingly important land use in the Kent Downs, with around 1,000 hectares of vineyard land.
Only around 20% of vineyard land is planted with vines. The remaining land is generally made up of grassland, hedgerows and shelter belts, creating opportunities to support biodiversity, soil health, clean water and aquifer recharge.
The Sustainable Viticulture Scoping Study identified a series of recommendations for further work. The recommendations highlighted opportunities to improve biodiversity within vineyard blocks, support soil health, encourage natural pest control and explore practical approaches to vineyard management. These opportunities have been used as the basis of the Healthy Vineyard project.
What does the project look at?
The project focuses on practical approaches to vineyard health, including cover crops, wildflowers, enhancing biodiversity, soil health and natural pest control.
Cover crops
The project reviews research and best practices around cover crops and explores interest in cover crop trials within vineyards.
Wildflowers and biodiversity
The project looks at opportunities for wildflower trials and other biodiversity measures within vineyards.
This includes working to understand how Countryside Stewardship and the Sustainable Farming Incentive can be used to support healthy vineyards. We will explore ways that biodiversity enhancements and monitoring can be supported by annual payments for the creation of wildlife-rich habitats.
Natural pest control
The project explores ways of increasing predatory insects and other invertebrates within vineyards, with the aim of supporting natural processes and reducing the need for synthetic chemicals.
Soil health
The project looks at regenerative approaches that support soil health and improve biodiversity within vineyard blocks.
It also considers methods for monitoring soil and biodiversity, alongside pesticide use.
Machinery and equipment
The project looks at the machinery and equipment needed to support vineyard health and biodiversity. These may include:
- Direct drills
- Side discharge mowers
- Side discharge spreaders
- Double-sided strimmer attachments
It also considers the capital and revenue requirements associated with this equipment.
Working with vineyard businesses
The project brings together vineyard businesses interested in practical approaches to vineyard health and explores the potential for a viticulture farm cluster.
The work builds on the participants and relationships developed through the Sustainable Viticulture Scoping Study and looks at opportunities to share experience, good practice, machinery, resources and funding.
Monitoring
The project develops approaches for monitoring biodiversity and soil health, including:
- Biodiversity
- Soil health
- Insects and other invertebrates
- Pesticide application
- Vineyard health
These approaches support the development of vineyard trials and help build a better understanding of vineyard health.
Working across Protected Landscapes
The project connects with other Protected Landscapes working on sustainable viticulture, including Surrey Hills National Landscape, South Downs National Park and High Weald National Landscape.
This provides opportunities to share experience and practical approaches to vineyard health.
Building on the Sustainable Viticulture Scoping Study
The Healthy VIneyards project builds on the Sustainable Viticulture Phase 1 project, which explored how vineyard development and management in the Kent Downs can support the environment while respecting the area’s landscape character.
The Kent Downs Sustainable Viticulture Scoping Study identified six areas for further work:
- Vineyard Health
- Vineyard Connectivity
- Vineyard Clusters
- Sustainable Viticulture Growth
- Sustainable Viticulture Tourism
- Sustainable Viticulture Research
Healthy Vineyards takes forward the work identified through the study, with a focus on soil health, biodiversity, cover crops, wildflowers, natural pest control and practical vineyard management.
Funding and partners
The Healthy Vineyards project is supported through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.
The project brings together vineyard businesses, environmental specialists, Natural England, other Protected Landscapes and the Kent Downs National Landscape team.