RHS at Wisley to make wine

The Royal Horticultural Society is set to make its own wine from a vineyard planted at the society's garden at Wisley, Surrey in southern England.

The 0.2ha vineyard will be planted in the spring. Various grapes are being considered but Seyval Blanc will almost certainly be included. It is widely grown in the UK, and is tolerant of disease and low temperatures.

Fruit will be harvested by RHS staff and sent to a commercial winemaker to be vinified. The RHS hopes to make around 1000 litres of wine.

Hugh Johnson, Decanter columnist and editorial consultant to the RHS journal The Garden said, ‘I’m delighted to hear about Wisley’s vineyard. Viticulture is an honoured branch of horticulture and I look forward to the trials.’

Written by Adam Lechmere6 December 2002