HOME + GARDEN
MEET THE GARDENER
CATH SMITH
Vineyard Manager , Hush Heath Estate home to Balfour Winery
Where did your interest in gardening and viticulture begin ?
I have always been interested in gardening and viticulture . Ever since I was a child I would work in the garden with my parents . Before becoming vineyard manager at Balfour Winery , I worked in horticulture , so I have always been green fingered !
Why did you want to be a viticulturist ?
When the opportunity came for me to be a viticulturist , I was excited about something new . It is quite a challenge growing grapes , from the time they break bud to when they are full fruit on the vine . As vineyard manager , maintaining and caring for your vines is constant work , you have to be out on the vineyard at all times . I thoroughly enjoy watching the grapes grow and getting a good crop at harvest .
Where did you study ?
Everything I have learnt was on the job . Back when I first started my viticulture journey , my mentor was Steven Skelton , Master of Wines , and in my opinion the top viticulturist in this country . Even now , if I have a query or in need of a discussion , he is at the other end of the phone for us to brainstorm together .
How long have you worked here ?
I have been working on Hush Heath Estate officially as a viticulturist since 2006 but have been working for the Balfour-Lynn family in their gardens including on-the-job training for viticulture since 2001 .
What appealed to you about working here ?
I have lived nearby all my life . As a child , I grew up on the previous farmland on Hush Heath Estate , helping my parents as they worked on the farm .
What ’ s your favourite vineyard on Hush Heath Estate ?
My favourite vineyard is home to the first vines planted back in 2001 , named Oast House Meadow . It ’ s a small vineyard , only four and a half acres , it has lovely wooden posts and has quite a pretty view .
How has vineyard management changed since taking on your role ?
We have almost tripled in size since 2001 , we are now at full capacity and therefore we cannot plant any more vines on Hush Heath Estate . With vineyard management , things change and grow all the time , hybrid varieties that are more disease resistant , better root stocks , and new environmentally friendly chemicals that will help protect against frost , but we don ’ t always necessarily follow the trends . If something works for us , why change it ?
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