Last year we trialled a small loaner flock of sheep through our close-planted block over winter. This year, we’ve just welcomed some permanent woolly residents to the property, who’ll stay on site and will continue to rotate through alternative pastures throughout the year.

Not only do our flock of North Wiltshires make us feel like proper primary producers, they also bring a multitude of benefits beyond cuteness and - much further down the line  - (maybe) a good BBQ?

Natural undervine mowing

Sheep help manage winter and spring vegetation growth without tractors constantly moving through the vineyard. Less slashing, less fuel, less soil compaction, less labour.

Nutrient cycling

They return organic matter directly back into the vineyard via manure and urine, helping build soil biology and nutrient availability naturally. Essentially, we like to  think of them as slow-release fertiliser on legs.

Improved soil health

Managed grazing can stimulate microbial activity and encourage healthier ground cover diversity. Good pasture management can also improve water infiltration and soil structure over time.

Reduced herbicide use

Grazing helps suppress weeds and undervine growth, reducing the need for chemical weed control - especially valuable in lower-input farming systems such as ours.

Fewer tractor passes = less compaction (and less diesel use)

Winter soils are vulnerable. Fewer machinery passes means less smearing and compaction, which matters enormously for root health and long-term vine balance.

Fire management

The sheep also help knock down excess biomass and dry matter before summer, reducing fuel load across the property, is.

Biodiversity + ecosystem function

Integrating animals into vineyards creates a more dynamic and resilient farming system. The site becomes something more than neatly spaced rows of vines -  it becomes a functioning ecosystem.

Potential vine balance benefits

Healthier soils and moderated competition can support more balanced vine growth, which often translates into better fruit quality rather than simply higher yields. That said, timing is everything. Sheep need to be removed from the block before budburst, otherwise they’ll happily eat young shoots and could absolutely demolish a vineyard overnight, which tends to put a dampener on the growing season.

Breed, size and flock density matter too. Smaller shedding breeds like our North Wilties are often preferred, as they require less maintenance (no shearing and mange) and are less likely to damage trunks, cordons and irrigation.

For now though, they’re officially our woolliest members of the Denton family (Jules has fallen a place or two) -  and another piece of our slowly and ever-evolving ecosystem.