On a calm, sunny February morning, our Kent and Sussex vineyard teams took a moment out from pruning to look skywards. Across multiple areas on the estate - from the hedges and grass margins to the ancient woodlands and vineyard - we took time to check in our resident birdlife for the Big Farmland Bird Count. This nationwide survey is designed to monitor bird populations in agricultural landscapes. It's just one of the ways we're staying in touch with the biodiversity across our estate, keeping sustainable ways of working at the heart of our winemaking.
This year, our team logged an impressive variety of bird species across our vineyards in Kent and Sussex. Among those recorded in abundance were blackbirds, linnets, goldfinches, green woodpeckers, marsh tits, tree sparrows and plenty of starlings. These sightings offer valuable insight into the health of our local ecosystem and provide a baseline against which we can measure future progress.
By checking in annually, we hope to track shifts in bird populations. In Sussex, our nature-obsessed team have recently installed bird boxes in the hope of offering a home to even more species. All being well, next year's results will reflect their hard work.
Of course, our commitment to sustainability doesn’t stop at birdlife. The vineyard ecosystem is interconnected, and every initiative we undertake supports a broader need to improve soil health, encourage plant diversity and create a thriving natural environment.
Our work with cover crops plays a crucial role, introducing plant biodiversity that in turn supports a wider range of insects and birds. Beneath the surface, we focus on microbial diversity and soil health, regularly conducting earthworm counts to assess the impact of our regenerative farming practices. By farming regeneratively, we aim to enhance the quality of our soils year after year, fostering a resilient ecosystem that benefits both our vines and the wildlife that calls our vineyards home.
These efforts are all part of our broader commitment to Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB), an initiative that encourages vineyards to adopt responsible farming practices. At Gusbourne, we see sustainability as an ongoing journey - one that requires us to continuously adapt and improve.
As stewards of this land, we are dedicated to ensuring that Gusbourne remains a place where nature flourishes. Whether it’s through nurturing our soils, protecting native bird species, or embracing sustainable viticulture, every step we take is designed to preserve and enhance the environment.
And in doing so, we hope to craft wines that reflect the character of our terroir - now, and for generations to come.
