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Meet the Team: Vineyard and Winery
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As our 2021 harvest continues, we wanted to celebrate some of our amazing team who have made it such a success. From our vineyard team who have worked around the clock to care for our grapes over the past year, to our winery team who are taking those grapes and making them into the award-winning wine you know and love. Read on to find out more about some of the faces behind harvest.
MARK – Assistant Vineyard Manager
About
I’ve been at Bolney since 2018 and my role encompasses all work required to keep the vineyard functioning, including pruning and tractor work.
Before working in the wine industry, I worked for a large pharmaceutical company for over 20 years before deciding I needed to have a career change and work outside. I graduated from Plumpton College with a Wine Production degree in 2019 and, having worked for Bolney in the winery for the 2016 vintage and loved it, have been in the Assistant Vineyard Manager role here since.
What he loves about his role
I love being outside in nature, seeing buzzards, kites, badgers and dragonflies. I enjoy speaking to our customers about Bolney and answering any questions they might have. Harvest is a great time here and my favourite thing about it is knowing that the years work has paid dividends and seeing the crop safely in. I’ve also recently got an adorable 6 month old Labrador, Shadow, who loves coming to the vineyard with me (and takes up a lot of my free time now)!
Favourite Bolney wine
CuvĂ©e RosĂ©, closely followed by CuvĂ©e Noir. I didn’t think I’d like a sparkling red, but turns out it’s great!
SHADOW – Pawprietor
About
I love coming to Bolney, running through the vines keeping the vineyard team in check, and meeting some of our guests on tours.
What he loves about his role
Attention, tummy rubs and treats!
Favourite Bolney wine
I’ve heard the Lychgate Barkus is a human favourite.
CARA LEE – Production and Operations Manager
About
After 10 years working in the South African wine industry, I joined Bolney this year heading up our winemaking operations.
What she loves about her role
Working alongside our top-class winery team, striving to develop the well-established still and sparkling wines of Bolney into a new level of quality wine production.
Favourite Bolney wine
HELEN – Brand Ambassador
About
I’ve worked at Bolney for nearly 3 years. My role encompasses the wide range of activities as a Brand Ambassador for the business and now includes vineyard plantings and building up contract winemaking within the winery team.
What she loves about her role
The team, the energy and the satisfaction of seeing the grapes come in to the winery. I love the innovation, the constant learning and development of my knowledge and the growth of the UK wine industry.
Favourite Bolney wine
Our new Estate Chardonnay 2020.
Helen on left in image.