Planting Roses

Today was an exciting one as we finally started to plant! The vines will arrive in early spring but today we started to plant our bare root climbing roses which will grow up and along the vineyard perimeter fencing.

Roses are planted in vineyards as “sentinel plants” — they act as early warning systems for pests and diseases while also adding beauty and biodiversity. Today, many vineyards do not plant roses and instead rely on synthetic treatments. However, we believe that they remain valuable for tradition, ecology, and aesthetics. We will use them as part of sustainable farming practices, blending heritage with modern viticulture.

Roses are highly susceptible to fungal diseases like powdery mildew and downy mildew. They also attract pests such as aphids before they reach the vines. If these are detected on the roses first, we will know that conditions are ripe for the same problems in grapevines and will be able to act quickly.

Roses also attract beneficial insects (ladybirds, bees, butterflies) that help control pests and pollinate, increasing biodiversity.

However, lets face it, the main reason for growing climbing roses around the total perimeter of the vineyard is that they will look beautiful!

We are planting two varieties of roses: Climbing Iceberg and Cecile Brunner. They are both hardy, disease-resistant, repeat-flowering, and thrive in the same well-drained soils that suit vines. Their vigorous growth and long flowering season make them excellent companions for vineyard aesthetics.

Climbing Iceberg has beautiful large clusters of pure white, semi-double blooms from June to October.

Cecile Brunner produces masses of small, pale pink, fragrant blooms from summer into autumn.