Sustainability
A Holistic Approach
Being the change
we want to see
Little Wold Vineyard, or Market Place Farm as it was once known, has worn many hats over the decades. From cereal farming to livestock, biofuels to vineyards, the Wilson family have explored a range of avenues to discover what works best for the land. The farm is around 187 acres in size, and not all of it is ideal for typical agricultural uses. This is where thinking outside of the box and sustainably have helped us.
In 2020 the agriculture industry produced around 11% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, in which farming was responsible for 1.7% of total CO2 emissions in the UK. In 2019, the National Farming Union (NFU) set their target of achieving net zero by 2040.
OUR COMMITMENTS
Embracing sustainable practices and biodiversity in land stewardship
Commitment
to biodiversity
At Little Wold Vineyard, over half of the land is dedicated to purposes beyond wine production. A significant portion, approximately 80 acres, is planted with willow, a hardy English plant that requires minimal maintenance. Since its introduction in 2000, the willow has thrived with little intervention; it is sprayed only once every three to four years due to its natural resistance to disease and pests.
This sustainable approach allows LWV to make productive use of water-logged areas that would otherwise be unsuitable for traditional crops. The willow is harvested by a biomass company, which leaves the stump and roots in the ground, promoting regrowth without the need for replanting.
Sustainable
vineyard practices
Our vineyards are maintained by hand, from pruning through to harvest, between Tom, our vineyard manager, Cameron and Ellie. This manual approach is challenging, especially since the amount of land we look after has continued to grow year-on-year. But in doing so, we minimise the amount of compression experienced by the interrow soil through mechanical intervention as well as limit our machinery emissions.
Our spraying and mowing routines are minimal so as to encourage natural plant growth. Allowing these natural spaces to grow a little wildly provides food and shelter for pollinators while also maintaining soil health and fertility, which is of vital importance to ensure the land is usable for generations to come.
Wildlife support
initiatives
A smaller section of the land, approximately four acres, is dedicated to pheasant cover. This area experiences typical farming activities, such as ploughing and spraying, but serves the critical purpose of providing food and shelter for local wildlife.
Learning to
live wildly
The remaining land, especially our field, Fifty Acre, is largely left wild to encourage biodiversity. This area is home to various animals and insects, with horses grazing freely on the grass and shrubs. We have also initiated wildflower planting along our pathways, which was originally done to improve aesthetics. It has since evolved into an effort to enhance the diversity of local flora and fauna.
Energy-Efficient
wine production
Transitioning away from sending our produce to contract winemakers was initially to save on cost. However, it soon became evident that this choice would also improve our carbon footprint. In previous years, Henry or Tom would transport tonnes of grapes at least once a week to a winery in the Midlands. Removing this element significantly reduced the amount of fuel we use in our wine-making process. The grapes are transported to our on-site winery, which gets its water from natural sources that lie below the chalky ground, while the waste produced is returned to the land, where it decomposes and nourishes the earth.
Eco-Friendly
packaging practices
Our sustainability efforts extend to our packaging practices as well. In 2019, we became one of the first UK wine producers to remove foils from sparkling wine bottles, a step aimed at reducing waste. Furthermore, we have strived to recycle by reusing cardboard boxes for shipping and packaging purposes.
Direct sales &
community engagement
We pride ourselves on selling directly to our customers. Not only does it allow us to get the wine to you at a good price, but it also limits the amount of travelling our wine does. Selling through events or the cellar door only requires the minute-long trip from the winery to the Tasting Room. Equally, selling through other local businesses limits the amount of time our wine spends sat in transport, reducing our carbon emissions further. While this may change as we continue to grow and look to other avenues, Alice, Tom, and Henry are all committed to ensuring that we are climate-conscious in all we do.
A Terroir Untapped
