Sometimes, a change in direction starts with recognising that what worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. After years of arable farming in Essex, AF Members Crispin and Julie Binder decided it was time for a brave new chapter - swapping fields of crops for rows of vines and turning a long-held passion for winemaking into a new way of life. New proprietors of Chet Valley Vineyard in Norfolk, they’re building on what’s already there, with big ambitions for the future and the same belief that has always mattered in farming: that we can achieve far more by working together.
“The downturn in arable farming caused us to completely rethink what our arable farming business would look like in the future. We decided there was no way we could see it turning around. So we took the brave (or silly!) decision to sell the arable farm and invest in something different.
“After a lot of searching, we decided to pursue a passion we’ve had for the last 20 years - to have a vineyard.”
“We’ve got very good soils here. There’s about a metre and a half of sandy loam topsoil, which is free draining so easy to work year-round.
“Underneath that, we’ve got a chalky boulder clay which acts as a moisture reservoir for the vines – as they get older their routes can go down 10 metres.
“As the climate is changing and the summers are getting warmer and longer – this one being exceptionally warm and long so far – conditions are much more like the ones I remember as a 12 year-old, holidaying with my parents on the continent.
“We have around 8 hectares of grapes in production, with another hectare or so to come on next year. In total we have 12 different varieties, including Schönburger, Phoenix, Regent, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Cabernet Noir.”
A promising crop of Chardonnay grapes taking shape for Chet’s sparkling wines
“As well as the vineyard itself, we’ve got a little cottage and we’re planning to develop that part of the business. We’ve also got a couple of glamping pods in Essex that we may bring here, depending on planning permission etc.
“We have lots of plans but aren’t aiming to alter the vineyard intrinsically from what it is. It’s more taking what we’ve got and improving it, so we can increase the quality of our wines from an already high level to make them outstanding.
“We want to make the most of our accommodation and incorporate the use of it with our events – for example Friday night pizza and fizz or mussels, then a wine tasting on the Saturday.
Behind the scenes of a Taste AF social media shoot
“Our vision is that this place will be one of the best vineyards and visitor attractions in Norfolk within five years. That’s what we’re aiming for.”
“In Essex, I was a member of Dengie Crops, a co-operative similar to AF. You’ve probably heard of their horse feed, but they also have grain trading and input buying divisions. I’ve always liked the idea of pooling buying resources because, on your own, you’re just a small cog. But when you take in the might of AF, it makes a difference. And every single penny we can save is potentially profit.
“Being an AF Member means I can phone the team and let them know I’m looking for a particular crop protection product, fertiliser, or fuel and they do the work finding me the best price. I don’t have to phone five or six different people to find out who will do it cheapest. And if the best option is to buy different products from different suppliers, AF can do that too, so I can still get the best price.
“If you get local companies at the top of their game working together, it’s amazing what things you can achieve.”
Chet Valley has a bottle for every occasion
“To someone considering joining as an AF Member, we’d say go for it, you’re not going to lose out in any way. All forms of farming have got to stand together at the moment. On our own we’re nothing, but as part of a bigger group, we’re everything. We’re stronger together.”
Visit their website to find out more about Chet Valley Vineyard.
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