Vines are one part of our diverse ecosystem

Our estate is now home to a wide range of species thanks to our regenerative farming.

Vineyard and field margins

Wildflower margins provide pollinator habitats, small mammal corridors and food for pest-controlling birds. Recorded species include common blue and marbled white butterflies. Bats forage along vine rows at dusk, and common spotted orchids are found in the chalk grassland margins. In August, the rare striped lychnis moth caterpillar feeds on dark mullein self-seeding around the vineyard.

Wildflower meadows, hedgerows and grassland

New wildflower meadows at Preston have recorded over 20 butterfly species. Some 3,000 metres of new hedgerows have been planted across the estate in the last 10 years, and cutting of established hedges is being reduced. Rare cornfield flowers recorded this year include rough poppy, prickly poppy and dwarf spurge. Grey partridge, yellowhammer and kestrel are all recorded across the estate.

Woodland

The estate manages approximately 350 hectares of woodland under a continuous-cover system, with no clear-felling, in accordance with a Forestry Commission-approved management plan. At Lockerley, ancient and semi-natural woodland is designated SSSI and SAC, managed in part to protect a barbastelle bat maternity roost[AC1] . Dead trees are left to stand where safe. Approximately 150,000 trees have been planted on new sites over 40 years, and one hectare of new mixed woodland was planted alongside the vineyard in 2012. Barn owls hunt along the woodland edge and over the vineyard at night.

Wetland and rewilding

A work plan is in development to restore and create wetland habitats across the estate, which will directly benefit the chalk stream and crayfish populations. Rewilding areas are being identified and established.