The Gladwin Family Journal
Snapshots, Reels and Observations from May, by Peter Gladwin
Everyone has complications in their lives and in most cases we have no idea what issues or challenges someone we interact with may be facing. It is therefore best to always give the benefit of the doubt.
We now have health issues within our family and each of us has to find their own way to cope. For me, I take great solace in observing the natural environment where I am so lucky to spend the majority of my time - downland, woodland, open fields, vineyards and occasionally the seashore.
A routine of walking morning and evening has made me deeply aware of the ever-changing landscape all around us. Everything from the skies, bird song, butterflies and smells; the glorious natural phenomena of Spring evolving into Summer. Just a couple of weeks ago woodland glades were still carpeted in blue, now the bracken is rising waist height, dotted with cherry pint Campions and wild Oxeye Daisies. Hedgerows thicken; wild grasses flower, sharing their space with cow parsley, buttercups and nettles; and great oaks, beech and chestnut trees breaking into full foliage.
If you want to do something a little eccentric - find a patch of soft ground beneath a fine mature tree, lie down flat on your back under it and simply gaze up at the patterns of leaves and branches with a gentle mosaic of sky peaking through above. The natural world is so varied and amazing, an artist could not possibly exaggerate it.
I mustn’t get too philosophical, this journal is supposed to be full of joie de vivre and good humour - welcome to our May/June updates
The Curse of Mr Frosty
We proudly tell our customers that Nutbourne wine is primarily made in the vineyard by growing excellent grapes. Work in the winery is kept simple and minimal, the wines are an expression of our unique bit of the English countryside - the terroir.
All that said, weather in the UK (and in Northern Europe in general) is not always kind to us. Severe frosts in late April and the first part of May this year have damaged the first buds, ruining the possibility of another early harvest, reducing yields and causing tears for us humble growers. The 2026 vintage still has a long way to go but it has not got off to the start we all wanted. The woes of the grape farmer!
Gregory and Richard caught up in the vines, watch a reel of them discussing the season so far →
Chelsea in Bloom
The Chelsea Flower Show draws visitors
from all over the world, plus hours of TV coverage. The lovely thing in recent
years is that the rest of Chelsea now joins in by decorating their shop fronts, restaurants and public spaces in grand floral style.
Our own Chelsea outlets,
The Pigs Ear in Old Church Street and Rabbit, British Bistro on the King's Road
displayed a flying pink pig and a world globe, all made out of daisies.
Further down towards Sloane Square, there were dragons, polar bears and even a mermaid - all celebrating the flower show and the fame it brings to London in the month of May.
Events in the Vineyard this Summer
Afternoon Tea & Tour
Saturday 4th July, Saturday 1st August
This is a perfect, indulgent way to enjoy an English vineyard. A leisurely stroll through the vines with a glass of something pink, bubbly and delicious in hand and then an sumptuous traditional afternoon tea with an abundance of handmade delicacies and of course plenty more of the fizz.
Summer Solstice Farm Feast
Fiday 19th June
There are still a few spaces for this fabulous celebration of the countryside, our Local & Wild pop-up in the vines. Make a weekend of it with a stay at our pub, The Black Horse in Amberley. We have arranged stress free transport between the two locations - simply email us to book for both.
Burgers & Bubbly
Friday Evenings & Bank Holidays throughout the Summer
We seem to have set a trend, as other local vineyards are now offering “Beef & Bubbles”, maybe “Cows & Cremant” or even “Fresian & Fizz”. In any case, our B&B evenings remain hugely popular. Gregory and Lani cooking our own beef on vinewood fires with loads of delicious Nutty Wild sparkling to wash it down. What’s not to like!
Sussex Winelands
Lewes, Saturday 13th June
WINELANDS is raising a glass to English Wine Week with an exciting festival, to showcase the world-class quality of Sussex and Southeast England’s wines.
Nutbourne is taking part in both the grand tasting of 16 English producers and an in-depth masterclass on 'How English Wine Ages'.
Grand Tasting Tickets £5, inc. free glass
Masterclass Tickets £35
Bats Aren't All Bad
I don’t actually have anything against bats per se. When you walk in the vineyards at dusk, these mysterious creatures are a fine sight, swooping from the rafters of the old lambing shed into the oak trees and then skimming across the tops of the vines and lakes.
Country planning authorities however, now seem to be obsessed by the well-being of bats. People who once upon a time were just a bunch of harmless, pot-smoking hippies have been crowned as saviors of the environment and given authority as ecological warriors. All planning applications must now be accompanied by an expensive ecological inspection and report.
We had one the other day for a simple, single storey kitchen extension - not overlooked and non-controversial. The bat inspection revealed no sign of these blessed nocturnal little beasts but the report went on to recommend that further inspections (and more expenditure) should take place on the grounds that a wood-clad outside wall might be an ideal haven for bats in the future! Meanwhile no extension!
So whilst many of us are committed to the well being of our planet, perhaps our ecological friends could just go back to enjoying their weed and listening to old Grateful Dead LPs leaving the rest of us to get on with life.
Highlighting THE SHED, Notting Hill
In 2011 Richard and Oliver opened their first restaurant. Perhaps there was a little financial help from Dad, but by and large this was entirely their own project, done their way. The boys fronted every service - Oliver foraging for wild ingredients then cooking his heart out and Richard serving and charming every customer. They would raucously sing Happy Birthday or parade their freshly baked beef wellington through the dining room before
slicing it at the open central pass - all to the delight of their clientele.
Why was it called The Shed?
Well basically it is a shed, a quirky ooden lean-to structure with a delightful little outdoor terrace located off the beaten track in the heart of Notting Hill.
The business was an overnight success, with affluent locals, eager trendies (now called influencers) and multiple celebrities flocking to experience the brothers’ unique brand of wild cooking and warm hospitality. Remarkably The Shed continues to be as hugely popular today as it was 15 years ago. I can't promise that the brothers are still always there to greet you, but you can expect such delicacies as a stunning seafood platter comprising oysters, langoustine, scallop ceviche, crab, mussels and Octopus; or Antonio’s master class in handmade Wild Mushroom Tortellini; or London Burrata, garden peas, chive flower and rapesed oil; plus the full range of delicious Nutbourne wines; all thisdelivered by a smiling, well trained team who are there waiting for you.
This Month's Food Champion: Garden Peas
It is the whole experience that makes a humble pea so special - planting, trellising, harvesting, podding and finally cooking them. Peas are sweet, nutritious, colourful and delicious, whether they're raw, blanched or combined into a recipe.
What's in Season?
Delicious ingredients available this month from the shore, field, farm and foraging
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IN THE WILD
Elderflowers · Alexander leaves · Lovage · Marigolds · Wild Strawberry · Wild Fennel · Lemon Verbena
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FROM THE COAST
King Scallops · Mackerel, Sardines & Bass · Samphire & Sea Kale · South Coast Squid
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FROM THE LAND
Courgettes · Kohlrabi · Garden Peas & Broad Beans · Asparagus · Radishes · Fresh Mint · Fennel · Lamb Sweetbreads & Cutlets · Gooseberries & Strawberries
Seasonal Recipes
Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton
Raising Hare is a delightful award wining true story of rescuing a young leveret only hours old and seeing it through to adulthood without spoiling it’s freedom. The book perfectly captures the respect that we need to maintain for the wild and the joy that can be drawn from observing it.
Bridget and I were strolling down the lane by Amberley Church one sunny Sunday morning only to be overtaken by a young hedgehog scurrying down the middle of the path. The little creature had much longer legs than we associate with adult hedgehogs. He was totally un-phased by our presence, knew exactly where he was going and clearly had the freedom of the world ahead of him. This was our experience of fearless new born wildlife.
No photo but I have tried to sketch him as best I can below!
Last Words
I am going to end this month with this simple pledge delivered in honour of Sir David Attenborough on his 100th birthday: “Safeguard nature every day of the year. Individually, quietly and without fuss”.
Photography by: Ed Dallimore, Catherine Frawley, Holly Farrier, Simon Wheeler, Peter Gladwin and Olivia Thomas.
Designed and edited by Olivia Thomas. llustrations and copy by Peter Gladwin.