Grape harvest is in

07 October 2022

The Elham Valley Vineyard has produced a bumper harvest. Alongside staff and volunteers from corporate supporter Saga, the students today helped pick the Seyval grapes from 500 vines which then made the 10 minute journey to winemakers Defined Wines in Bridge.

The harvest will yield 1,000 bottles of sparkling rosé which will be sold to support our day care service activities. It will be ready to drink in 2024. With next year’s harvest, the charity plans to make a still rosé which will only take a year to develop. The three quarter acre vineyard, one of the oldest in the now popular Kent Downs winemaking region, has previously produced a sparkling white and blanc de noirs and a still white wine which are available now.

Elham Valley Vineyard wines are sold at the Vineyard Garden Centre and Café, where they can also be enjoyed by the glass. They can also be purchased from our online shop. As with all our social enterprises, profits from the wines help give students the best possible range of activities and opportunities, from creative and life skill classes to working alongside staff in the local community delivering logs and maintaining gardens.

The Fifth Trust social enterprise manager Peter Stratton said: “Having our own vineyard is something very special. Horticulture students are very much involved in looking after the vines throughout the year so it is an exciting day for everyone when we finally pick the grapes.

“The vineyard also makes a beautiful backdrop for our café. What could be better than relaxing there with a glass of wine that is not only locally-grown and produced but supports the students with learning disabilities whose hard work goes into every bottle?”

---