Frequently asked questions...
How many grapes do I need to contribute?
Minimum contribution is 3KG. We have members contributing a modest bucketful (3kg) up to 100kg – the more the better.
Are my grapes suitable for winemaking?
If the grapes are disease-free, edible (ie not completely sour) and clean they will be accepted for the harvest.
How soon before I can taste the wine?
If your vine is mature and producing a crop of grapes, you may bring the fruit to the harvest in the autumn and receive your share of the wine the following spring. The vineyard recommend the wine be allowed to settle after its bottling in March so ideally you will restrain yourself and enjoy your first sip in June.
I do not live in London..can I join?
Members must be able to bring their grapes to the collection point in South London on Harvest day –a Saturday in late September/Early October. We do have members as far away as Stokeon-Trent and Coventry who travel to us, The only requirement is that the growers can come to our central collection point at harvest time with ripe, disease free fruit. The harvest date is carefully planned to be the optimum ripeness for the majority of members so there are problems for growers further north or in rural areas. The Harvest date may be too soon for them to contribute.
Will you set up collections in other Urban areas?
As The Urban Wine Company grows, we would like to set up collection points in other towns and cities but we have barely started to reach all the potential members in London. We are concentrating our efforts in the capital for the next few years.
Why does everyone get 6 bottles? I gave you more grapes than another member and want more.
We are working as a collective. The weight of each members grapes are recorded at harvest time and those contributing more will be entitled to buy additional bottles in proportion to the amount they gave.
What sort of wine will be made? I only like red....
The grape juice is blended and a Rose was made last year. The vineyard need 1 Tonne of grapes for each variety of wine – eg 1 Tonne of red grapes for a separate red variety plus 1 tonne of red/white grapes to make a white version. We hope to be able to offer a white/red and even sparkling in future years.
My grapes are ripe before the harvest date – what can I do?
The grapes can be frozen at their peak of ripeness and brought to the collection point straight from the freezer.
My grapes are not going to be ripe enough by the harvest date...
Unfortunately we need the grapes to be ripe and your contribution may be rejected if the grapes do not meet the sugar/acid ratio required by the vineyard.
Can you come to collect my grapes from me?
We regret that we cannot collect grapes – you must be able to bring them to our collection point in/near Tooting, South London on Harvest day.
What work is involved in raising a grapevine?
Grapes are vigorous growers so the majority of the work in raising a productive grape vine is pruning. Once the vine is established, the key to a luscious grape is not allowing the vine to be overcrowded with fruit - the more bunches the vine is supporting, the more difficult it is for grapes to accumulate the sugar they need to ripen satisfactorily. Overcrowding can also prevent air circulating and humid conditions can lead to mildews and fungal diseases that will blight the crop. When the grapes are nearing harvest, their greatest danger is from birds and squirrels so protective netting will be needed to ensure the grapes reach their final destination in your wine glass.
Is my outdoor space suitable for growing a grape vine?
Grapes need warmth to ripen so the vine requires a sunny position and a support to grow up. They can be grown in a large pot.
When can I plant a grape vine?
The ideal time for planting a vine is the Spring with bare rooted stock. However, potted vines can be planted until early Autumn when the vine becomes dormant.