Outlook's vine for Sussex sheep (From The Argus)
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Sussex wine-makers recruit sheep to clean up vineyard
4:50pm Wednesday 14th November 2012 in News
Sheep among vines at Nyetimber
Sussex wine-makers will be keeping their vineyards tidy with the help of a flock of sheep this winter.
This week they will release 250 sheep to graze across Nyetimber’s West Sussex vineyards.
The environmentally friendly ground management scheme is being rolled out following a successful trial last year.
Pulborough farmer Chris Hodgkins will guide his sheep onto the company’s 100-hectare site where they will be able feed themselves at the same time as tidying up.
Cherie Spriggs, head winemaker at Nyetimber, said: “This is one of those great win-win situations for the sheep, for us and for the environment.
“Chris the farmer can rest his pasture, and we get a lovely flock of new employees to help us keep the grass low.”
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Thatsjustyummy says...
8:41pm Wed 14 Nov 12
Been done for so long in the major wine growing regions in Europe it's just a given. They eat the crap from the ground, obviously the **** comes out of the other end and adds nutrients to the soil. Though in Tuscany it's normally goats as opposed to sheep.
It's called 'farming'. I for one applaud what they have 'discovered' and they will find the benefits are to their favour and purpose.
A tidy vineyard makes a good wine.