As autumn arrives at Hambledon Wine Estate, the vineyards and gardens turn to their wonderful palette of gold and amber. September and October bring a spectacular change in season and the excitement of cosy afternoons.
While the vineyard and winery teams busy themselves with harvest 2026, the garden team are also busy harvesting crops from our own culinary garden. Tromboncino Squash, Pumpkins, Late Tomatoes, Salad crops and plenty more all find their way to the kitchens.
On the estate we are finishing the mammoth task of giving our hedges their annual trim. We began in the second week of August and have finally finished the last of our Yew and Copper Beech. Meanwhile, some of the team have been busy collecting various seeds for storing, deadheading spent flowerheads and pruning back some of the leggy summer growth. We are carefully trimming back all of the estate's lavender, and it will receive a further light trim in March. Cuttings are being taken and seedlings potted, ready to be planted out at the end of the month.
We find it very important that the team takes a moment to stop and observe the gardens as they evolve through the year. Otherwise, the finer details are likely to be missed, and the quality of the horticulture will suffer. Autumn especially is a tremendously busy time for us, but also a prime opportunity to take stock of what has and hasn't done well and begin editing the gardens. We have very much enjoyed seeing our very old Black Hamburg vine finally give a respectable crop of grapes this year for the first time since we rescued it from being ripped out six years ago. Patience is a virtue.
Across the gardens we are busy as ever planting out this year's winter crops. Cavolo Nero Kale, Rainbow Chard, Carrots and Broad Beans to name but a few. And of course, the never-ending task of weeding and collecting the falling leaves.
As for jobs to be getting on with:
· Begin dividing overcrowded perennials, plant out spring flowering bulbs, and plant out any shrubs and trees while the soil is still warm and retains moisture.
· Scarify and fertilise any fine turf with a low-nitrogen late-season fertiliser and overseed/Top dress with a sandy soil loam if needed.
· Start cutting out diseased foliage from beds, but make sure to leave seed heads on plants such as Verbena Bonensiaris and Ornamental grasses for birds to feed from in winter. Don't throw away collected leaves as they will provide valuable mulch next year, and in the meantime fresh mulch can be added to beds.
We shall be busy doing all of this in our own gardens, so do pop along and say hello. Visitors can look forward to crisp mornings and spectacular views this Autumn, and it is a perfect time to stroll through the vines and enjoy the garden while drinking in the peaceful surroundings with a glass of estate wine. We very much look forward to welcoming you to the estate this autumn.