A CONWY vineyard featured on an episode of BBC environmental and agricultural programme Countryfile.
Described as a ‘place of innovation’, Gwinllan Conwy have adopted a novel method of growing vines using sheep wool.
Colin Bennett, owner of the vineyard, and Gareth Wyn Jones, a farmer whose family have worked the land near the vineyard for 375 years, have combined to help both the vineyard and farm flourish.
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Mr Bennett moved to the area, near Llandudno Junction, from Manchester in 2012, and the vineyard now occupies four acres made up of 3,500 vines.
With difficulties in the wool industry regarding prices, and with the vineyard requiring an organic weed kill for the roots of its vines, they worked together to find a solution.
Placing wool on the ground saves using pesticides, as weeds do not grow through the material.
Wool also adds essential nutrients to the vines, and deters pests such as slugs and snails from the growth, resulting in profit for Mr Wyn Jones, and a better yield for the winemakers.
At the end, Mr Bennett adds: “This is a win-win situation for the vineyard owner and for the Welsh sheep farmer.”
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