Our Sustainability Policy

raise a glass to better choices

At Abingworth, we are a family-run vineyard where nature, history, and togetherness are central to our ethos. Sustainability shapes everything we do from how we grow and produce our wines to how we care for the land, our team, and the wider community.

Our Sustainability Approach

We believe producing outstanding English wine should go hand in hand with care for the land, the people, and the community that support it. Our sustainability practices are rooted in responsible choices and a long-term commitment to preserving our environment and nurturing wellbeing.

In the Vineyard

While we are not certified organic or biodynamic, we work with many of the same principles — always aiming to be as gentle and sustainable as possible.

• - Minimal tillage and data-driven decisions using on-site weather stations help us reduce unnecessary spraying
• - Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques like pheromone traps reduce chemical use
• - Sustainable pruning (Simonit & Sirch method) promotes long-term vine health
• - Canopy management such as De-leafing around grape bunches improves airflow and sunlight, reducing the risk of mildew and rot naturally
• - Mulched vine prunings are returned to the soil as organic matter
• - Soil health is tracked through annual sampling and earthworm counts
• - Water usage is kept to a minimum
• - Rainwater harvesting is used for washdowns and treatments to reduce water use.

And the vineyard is just a small part of the wider landscape we look after. The majority remains as permanent pasture, wildflower meadows, and natural habitats.

Supporting Biodiversity

Biodiversity is essential to how we manage our land. We protect and enhance natural habitats by:

• - Maintaining wildflower meadows
• - Leaving hedgerows uncut to support birds and insects
• - Allowing woodland areas to evolve naturally
• - Using sheep in winter to manage grass and weeds between vines, reducing mowing and adding natural fertiliser.

These spaces are just as important to us as the vines themselves — creating a balanced, healthy environment for future generations.

In the Winery

Our winemaking style is lower intervention, allowing the natural character of the fruit to shine through with minimal additives. We’ve invested in energy-efficient equipment reduces energy use while enhancing quality. Our newly built winery was designed with sustainability in mind.

• High quality insulated, naturally ventilated winery reduces heating and cooling demand
• Solar-powered operations run the winery, offices, and electric vineyard equipment, tools and vehicles.

Waste & Circular Practices

We aim to reuse and recycle wherever possible:

• - Grape pressings (marc) are composted and returned to the vineyard to nourish the soil.
• - All remaining waste is either recycled or managed via licensed services
• We actively look for ways to reduce waste across all areas of production.

Packaging & Distribution

Sustainability drives all of our packaging decisions. We use:

• - Lighter-weight bottles to reduce emissions
• - Recycled cardboard cartons
• - Eco-conscious labels and paper tape (low plastic, low adhesive)
• - Focus on local sales and short supply chains to reduce transport impact. 

Transparency & Traceability

We are committed to making our wines not only sustainable, but also fully transparent. Every bottle includes a QR code linking to:

• - Ingredients and allergens
• - Nutritional information
• - Winemaking methods
• - Packaging materials and sustainability features

This makes it easy for customers to learn more about what they’re drinking and how it was made. We believe that knowing what’s in your glass, and how it got there, is a vital part of making informed conscious choices.

People First

As a family business with four daughters involved, we want our vineyard to be a space that enriches people’s lives. From the local community to the team that supports us, people are at the heart of everything we do.

• - We create opportunities for the public to engage with the natural environment and sustainable farming to inspire a deeper connection between people and nature.
• - We’re passionate about promoting natural wellbeing. By maintaining a peaceful, thriving landscape, we aim to offer a space where people can reconnect with nature whether through guided tours, events, or simply enjoying the scenery.
• - We foster a positive, inclusive environment for staff and contractors
• - Health, safety, and wellbeing are central to our working culture.

Our Ongoing Commitment

We see sustainability as a long-term journey. We’re committed to:

• - Continuous improvement
• - Being guided by nature, science, and community
• - Always doing our best to leave the land better than we found it.

As we grow, so does our responsibility to care for the land, the people, and the future that makes our wines possible.

Want to Know More?

If you’d like to know more about our sustainability work, we’d love to hear from you or better still welcome you to the vineyard to see it all in action.