GRAPE GROWING
The Buchan ‘Midas Touch’ Many of the most successful vineyards in the UK have something in common – they have been planned, planted and managed by John Buchan, a Viticultural Agronomist with 20 years’ experience. Vineyard speaks to John to find out how he brings his ‘Midas touch’ to vines. Although John has 20 years’ experience in viticulture, his agronomy background stretches back many more years and his strong agriculture, farm management and specialist knowledge of plant nutrition probably places John as one of the foremost agronomy experts in UK viticulture today. John Buchan Agronomy was founded in 2002 and John supplies his clients with a full range of consultancy services – from initial site selection to the creation of full integrated farm management. John has the advantage that he is totally independent of any nutrition, fertiliser, plant protection or other suppliers and so is not limited to the selection of specific products. In fact, with his experience and knowledge, he creates bespoke nutrition and fertiliser combinations for his clients which are formulated for him by selected suppliers. “These are for both conventional and organic vineyards. They are site specific, so that the client can avoid off the shelf formulations – and only needs to apply what is required,” explains John. John Bucan started his career after studying agriculture and farm management at Brooksby College. After 18 years in farm management, he specialised in plant nutrition with two of the foremost nutritional companies. Those being USA based Stoller Chemicals and the German company Stefus Plant Protection, building up the plant nutrition sector in the UK. “In 2001, while working as a plant nutritionist, I met Ian A’Court by
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chance. Ian is now a viticultural consultant, but at the time he was manager of Sharpham Vineyard in Devon. Ian had asked Stoller Chemicals, where I was a plant nutritionist, if anyone knew about vines. My American boss, with his limited knowledge of UK geography decided that Shropshire, where I was based, and Devon were close. So, I visited Sharpham Vineyard to advise on nutrition and that is when my involvement with vineyards started. Shortly after, my next vineyard visit was to Camel Valley in Cornwall and thanks to the owner Bob Lindo – who passed my name around – I ended up really busy. “After meeting Ian A’Court and Bob Lindo, I realised that vineyard people are really friendly and open, so I decided to focus on viticultural agronomy, specialising in nutrition. I now have over 70 clients – and I will be celebrating 20 years in vineyards in November this year!”
Complete viticulture consultancy
With his unique background in farm management, soils and plant nutrition – and many years specialising in viticulture, John is able to offer a complete consultancy service or tailor made advice depending on his client’s needs. “I can support the client from a vineyards first inception, with a full site assessment, soil analysis with interpretation and recommendations, site improvement and preparation advice, selection of varieties, clones and rootstocks – and the all-important costings. Once the vineyard is planted I
