Two new regenerative viticulture courses

Dartington Trust, which describes itself as a centre for progressive learning in arts, ecology and social justice, based on a 1,200 acre campus near Totnes in Devon, has just launched two new regenerative viticulture courses.

The courses have been created by master of wine Justin Howard-Sneyd, who joined Dartington in 2020 as associate head of wine. The well-known wine communicator and ex-head of wine at Waitrose is developing a programme of wine courses and talks at Dartington.

These two new courses aimed at viticulturalists and those interested in viticulture, both have a focus on regenerative agriculture, which fits with the strong programme of short courses in regenerative and sustainable growing practices at Dartington, plus Regenerative Food and Farming postgraduate and undergradute programmes from Schumacher College, which is part of the trust. Dr Nathan Einbinder, course lead for food and farming is delivering the course alongside Justin Howard-Sneyd.

Dr Einbinder said: “Regenerative farming has been gaining increasing support in the last few years, as it is acknowledged that ‘sustainable’ agriculture, in other words, sustaining a broken system that is harming the land and the farmers who manage it, is no longer a viable option. Instead, regenerative farming offers a more holistic approach, and one that ultimately helps tackle climate change by proposing transformation of the current industrial food and farming system, from the ground up.”

Justin said: “There is a great deal of buzz around the term ‘regenerative’ at the moment, and a fast spread of awareness among farmers in the UK about how a regenerative approach can heal soils, and improve profitability. To what extent can you apply regenerative techniques to vineyards? We are aiming to point you in the right direction.”

There will be a two-day residential course entitled Regenerative Agriculture for Grape Growers held between 21-22 March priced at £425. It is designed for vineyard owners and viticulturists working in the UK to learn about the Regenerative Agriculture movement, and how it might apply to the improvement of soil health in a vineyard.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about some of the ecological problems associated with mainstream farming, and the solutions a regenerative approach can offer. There will be a focus on exploring best practices for growing delicious sustainable wine in the UK's uniquely damp and cool climate and discovering how to steer the UK's wine industry towards a more sustainable future. There will also be the opportunity to see regenerative growing in action on site at Schumacher College, as well as to enjoy a range of wine served with dinner on Monday evening.

There is a second course available which is a five-day Introduction to Sustainable and Regenerative Viticulture which will run from 30 May - 3 June priced at £995. This is for those who are interested in viticulture, and would like an immersion in the theory and practice of different forms of non-conventional viticulture in the UK. This will include a day on WineGB’s Sustainable Wine Certification, a day on organic and biodynamic viticulture, and a day examining business models and practices to improve profitability.

Dartington says attendees may be considering a career in viticulture in the UK, or already working conventionally, wishing to understand the alternatives to conventional farming.

A key objective of the course is to get everyone thinking about sustainability, and to equip attendees with the tools and resources to help them develop a more sustainable form of viticulture, with a positive impact on the planet and people.