Vineyard specialists supplying Hadley Group trellis supports

A company offering a comprehensive service for the UK’s wine producers and fruit farmers has added the Vinepost range, from Hadley Group, to its offering.

Vine Care will use the products in its latest project, the Four Boys Vineyard in East Sussex.

Vine Care was founded by Paul Woodrow-Hill and is based in East Sussex – it provides growers with a complete package spanning consultancy and planning a vineyard to planting, tending and picking; this includes the supply and installation of trellis systems.

The company has a customer base spanning from Dorset in the South West through to the South Coast and Essex, whilst working with growers to establish vineyards and orchards in the North of England, Scotland and Wales.

Paul Woodrow-Hill commented: “I have been involved in the industry since the eighties, including many years working in and managing vineyards – during which time I have always used Hadley Group Vineposts and so am able to advise clients on the type they need.

“This is mainly down to the type of soil type they have: you need a longer post for a dry crumbly soil than if you are inserting them into some type of rock such as chalk.

“I’ve always admired the finish and the look of the Hadley post from day one and was delighted to hear that, in strength tests conducted in Germany, it came out top against other established manufacturers that had been producing metal vineyard posts for years.

“The patented ultra steel process increases the strength of the posts and enables a greater uptake of galvanising material, making it more robust against the elements.

“We employ a special machine with a vibrating head to drive the posts into the ground; and then have a larger one with a brace for the strainers at the ends.

“We create some very large trellises making use of every orientation and aspect to the land.”

The Four Boys Vineyard installation features Hadley Group’s posts for trellises, where they covered ten acres. Here, Vine Care provided both labour and consultancy support.

Paul Woodrow-Hill added: “Four Boys Vineyard first began planting the classic Champagne grapes – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – for its sparkling wine back in 2009, and also grows Bacchus for a still white wine.

“We have been buying Hadley Group Vineposts since we were the first to use them for a project in Hampshire in 2008, and we are increasing stocks at our distribution depot.

“Meanwhile, this current expansion of the Four Boys vineyard saw us on site for some six weeks, erecting the new trellises and carrying out other work at the farm. It is all successfully completed now and the customer is very pleased with the outcome.”

Hadley Group’s Vinepost range offers the industry a wide range of sizes and strengths to suit varying ground conditions, as well as grape varieties and other crops.

The different sections all contain easy to use wire retention brackets, as well as end posts and a wide choice of powder coat paint finishes.

Hadley Group’s international team of experts can offer advice to clients.