Volunteering
Vineyard Volunteer Programme
Come and join us working in the vineyard. Experience how great wine starts with growing great grapes, meet new people and gain the benefits of working with your hands in a beautiful natural environment. Read on to find out more or contact Filippa at combehayvineyard@gmail.com with any queries.
Combe Hay Vineyard is one of only a handful of vineyards in the country to have 35-year old vines. You will learn how to get the best crop from both old and young vines, and how to plant, nurture and train them.
We don’t require any previous expertise in our volunteers as we can show you what needs to be done and find tasks you are comfortable with.
The practices, including regenerative, organic and biodynamic, you will follow with us, could be applied to working with any plants.
Understanding how grapes are grown with a view to making wine and the effects of environment and different vineyard practices, can also enhance your ability to detect more when you enjoy a glass of wine.
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Benefits
We all know nature is beneficial for our wellbeing, and working outside in a beautiful natural environment – just breathing in the biosphere is good for you.
After training and demonstrations, working in the vineyard, can be a wonderful opportunity to take a break from the world and get lost in thought or to chat with a new group of people with a shared interest.
For volunteers who attend regularly, we can provide added extras such as free foraging walks in the vineyard woodland guided by a qualified professional, free potted vines you can grow at home, as well as discounts on wine, wine tastings and tours. Showing how the vineyard you are working on, the vines, grapes and the wine fit in the wider world of wine and ecology.
Session dates depend on the requirements of the vines and the great British weather. Generally, they will start in May with regular dates until harvest, which is usually in October. I can add you to our email group which will let you know session dates and what you might be doing.
While there is no minimum commitment, the more often you come along, the more you will learn and understand the wider picture. We appreciate any time you can give and it all contributes to the health of the vines and the taste of the wine.
Please come along and see if it’s for you.
If you think you might be interested in volunteering, or would like to know more, please contact Filippa on combehayvineyard@gmail.com.