Volunteering
Vineyard Volunteer Programme
Come and join us working in the vineyard. Learn skills, meet new people, take a break from the busy world and gain the benefits of working with your hands in a natural environment.
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.
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.
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.
Read on to find out more or contact Filippa at combehayvineyard@gmail.com with any queries.
The Work
Pruning is done in February, then from March it is about training and feeding the vines as they start to grow, protecting them from frost, making and applying biodynamic preparations, getting down among the vines and monitoring the wild plants, identifying any pests or issues and managing them. In the summer this moves on to controlling and guiding the growth of the vines, to promote the best grapes, leaf stripping, tucking in between wires and clipping back.
The jobs are varied each time and there is always a choice of what to do. See the vineyard develop each week, the amazing growth of the vines, the new wild flowers, birds and insects. Leaving an unruly row looking neat and healthy is a very satisfying feeling for me, the vines just look happier, find your favourite task of each season.
Session dates depend on the requirements of the vines and the great British weather. Generally, they will be every week on the same day, usually Wednesday, with some weekend dates. 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.