EMPLOYMENT LAW UPDATESEWOTY 2012 • DIARY DATESWINESKILLS INFO • IPHONE APPLATEST NEWS & MUCH MORE....

NEW

SISSUE #01, JUNE 2012

Dear SEVA members, it’s my great pleasure to welcome you to the � rst SEVA newsletter! We aim to produce three a year, after the AGM in May, after the SEWOTY awards ceremony (June/July) and after the post-harvest meal in November. They are designed to help members catch up on the Association’s activities.

For instance, Lila did a great job in organising the SE Wine of the Year competition and its awards ceremony at Denbies in June 2011. We had over 60 wines presented (of which 75% were awarded a medal) and 90 people attended. We are very grateful to the panel of judges, Andy Howard MW, Patricia Stefanowicz MW, and Lindsay Oram for their wise choices, and would like to congratulate Gusbourne and Chapel Down for taking the trophies.

However, I gather that Aly & Oliver have set themselves the target of making the SEWOTY competition a really important national event, and have been working hard on this year’s awards ceremony, which will be held on June 7th at Denbies.

Many, many thanks to Bridget and Peter Gladwin of Nutbourne Vineyard for hosting our summer barbeque in their fantastic vineyard and for providing us with such great food. We’re hosting this year’s event at

Bluebell Vineyards on Saturday 1st September. I hope that you will be able to attend this very enjoyable opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with other members.

Talking of good food, thanks to Richard Balfour-Lynn, we had a very successful post-harvest meal at the Hotel du Vin in Tunbridge Wells. We’d like to hold this year’s event on 22nd November. Can anyone suggest a suitable venue?

We also want to thank Aly and Paul Engle� eld of Highdown for their excellent hosting and lunch at our recent AGM held in April (see photo on cover and right).

Encouraged by the SEVA Initiative Fund, and supported by your generous donations of wine, Morfudd Richards, a Plumpton College Wine graduate, organised tastings of our wines for members of the restaurant trade. However, as she did not charge for her time, we were able to use much of the money on the soon to be released UK Vineyards i-Phone app instead.

Lila and Jo Cowderoy organised a terri� c visit to Champagne in June, where 35 members were very well-received and had a really good time. Luckily, we obtained a bursary from the South of England Show Society, which really helped � nancially. We’ve decided to go to Alsace in June 2013 (see p6). Would you like to come?

I’m really glad to say that the three SEVA Committee members who were up for re-election this year (Emma, Owen & Roy) have agreed to carry on serving our members and that we have a new member; Iain MacLean From Bluebell Vineyard. This brings us to the full complement of 12 Committee members; all excellent people!

As you may already know, the other up-and-coming events for SEVA are:

Hosting the English Wine of the Year tasting• South East Wine of the Year 2012 awards • ceremony on 7th JuneRe-designing the SEVA website• The launch of the UK Vineyards i-phone app•

We’ve also added “generating opportunities, facilitating, and providing funding for research, development and marketing initiatives”, to our Association’s objectives, which should lead to some interesting challenges ahead!

I look forward to another year with the SEVA, and wish you all the best of luck with spring and summer in your vineyard.

Chris Foss, Chairman, SEVA

Chair’s report

Many thanks to our sponsors this issue: Gripple Ltd, FAST Viticulture, Core Equip, Hattingley Valley, Vine Works, N P Seymour, and to Paul Engle� eld of Highdown Vineyard for the great photo on the cover and shown above, taken at the recent AGM at Highdown on a windy day!...

WHAT IS THE AGRICULTURAL WAGES ORDER (AWO)?

Applies to all those employed in agriculture • – “agriculture” including the production of any consumable produce. Consequently, covers majority of those involved at vineyard level including possibly o� ce sta� , depending on responsibilities.

Provides a grading regime and various • other benefits and is likely to remain in force until 30 September 2013, possibly further.

Once AWO is abolished there will be • various transitional arrangements and informal agreements.

Rates change with e� ect from 1 • October every year.

SAWS (SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL WORKERS SCHEME)

Enables around 21,250 people to • undertake seasonal jobs in agriculture/horticulture in the UK each year – currently limited to Bulgarians and Romanians.

Will run in this format until 31 December • 2013, possibly with extension to Croatian nationals as well in mid 2013.

Highly regulated and successful • scheme by Home O� ce, SAWS operators and Gangmasters’ Licensing Authority (GLA) and view of 50 Club is that it is vital to be working and lobbying now on a next generation for SAWS to take us from 1 January 2014 and beyond.

SEASONAL LABOUR QUERIES/MISCONCEPTIONS(a) Harvest casuals – the so-called cash casual scheme for harvesting perishable produce outside still very much exists and, where operated properly, is a useful mechanism for harvest preventing the need to run normal payroll procedures. CWG2 2012 (Chapter 4, para 112) sets out the detail and it works well with a relatively short harvest such as with a vineyard.

(b) Employed/self-employed – there seems to be an increase in the numbers of Bulgarian/Romanian self-employed in the sector, and employers/users need to be aware of the importance of ensuring that a Bulgarian/Romanian national has the right to be employed in the UK and/or if stated as self-employed that they genuinely are self-employed. This is an area where both Home O� ce (through the Accession (Immigration and Worker Authorisation) Regulations 2007) and the

Gangmaster Licensing Authority seem to have an increased interest – see GLA website and particularly GLA briefs 17 and 18.

(c) GLA applicability in the context of foreign labour provider – note that, even if recruiting from overseas through a gangmaster living and operating abroad, you still need that individual to have a GLA licence – see GLA brief 16.

(d) Holiday/Holiday Pay – applicable to all and cannot be “rolled up” – � ve day workers in agriculture get 31 days including Bank Holidays; other workers get 5.6 weeks per annum. Cash casuals (on daily contracts) should receive holiday pay “in lieu” at the end of each day.

(e) Sickness/sick pay – note SSP applicable to all employees and payable from the fourth day of sickness (and so should not be payable to daily cash casuals). Note also that for those employed for at least 12 months that agricultural wages sick pay (payable at minimum rate for grade under the AWO) applies.

Further information is available from Colin Hall, 50 Club Horticultural Employers’ Association, Clockhouse Barn, Canterbury Road, Challock, Ashford, Kent, TN25 4BJ. T: 01233 740099 E: colin.hall@50clubemployment.com W: www.btfpartnership.co.uk/50club

Employment Law Info Update

A SUMMARY OF POINTS COVERED BY COLIN HALL, PARTNER AT BTF AND DIRECTOR OF THE 50 CLUB HORTICULTURAL EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATION AT HIS TALK AT THE RECENT SEVA AGM.

Employment Law

WHAT IS THE AGRICULTURAL WAGES

SAWS (SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL

SAWS (SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL

SAWS (SEASONAL

SEASONAL LABOUR QUERIES/

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ADVERT-TREL-SEVA(A5)indd.indd 1 09/05/2012 11:53

Thursday 3rd May saw the English Wine Producers trade and press tasting in the rather grand setting of One Great George Street near Parliament Square.

The large SEVA stand boasted an array of � ne wines from many producers including Bluebell, Breaky Bottom, Carr Taylor, Court Garden, Meopham, Nutbourne and Plumpton. The wines were well received, with perhaps the sparkling ranges attracting more interest which is understandable given the nature of the event.

The event was strongly attended by a wide variety of well-informed wine press and many real buyers from both the o� - and on-trade, not to mention the great and good of the English Wine industry.

The SEVA stand was very busy; there’s obviously a lot of real interest out there for English wines, though as ever the feedback was about the importance of quality.

Other SEVA members who are also members of the EWP had their own stands to showcase their wines: Bolney Estate, Denbies, Hush Heath, Biddenden, Gusbourne, Chapel Down, Nyetimber and Ridgeview were all present. The event was a wonderful opportunity for those with wines on show to get noticed.

EWP trade & press tasting

THE LOWDOWN ON THE EXCELLENT ANNUAL EWP TASTING HOSTED IN LONDON THIS MAY... (ARTICLE BY STUART GRAHAM)

Many thanks to all the SEVA producers who entered the South East Wine of the Year competition 2012 recently. We had a record number of entries and an excellent range of wines presented. The judging went ahead on 14th May, led by Chair Andy Howard (Senior Wine Buyer for Marks and Spencer) who was joined by some new faces on the team. Returning this year was wine educator Lindsay Oram, joined by new faces Cat Lomax (Buyer for Laithwaites), Charles Metcalfe, (wine writer), and the celebrated winemaker Owen Elias. Stuart Graham (top tasting student from Plumpton) also joined in.

Results are embargoed until the awards ceremony and presentation on 7th June, being held at Denbies Wine Estate. The judges will be present to announce the winning wines and introduce the wines selected for tasting, and winemakers will be asked to explain how they made them.

If you’ve not yet booked and would like to attend, please get in touch with southeastvineyards@gmail.com ASAP.

We want to express our huge thanks to committee members Aly Engle� eld (Highdown) and Oliver Marsh (Ridgeview) who have been working hard to secure some extra press coverage this year, and we are hopeful for some high pro� le reviews of the top wines.

We look forward to seeing you at Denbies on 7th, and to presenting the trophies to the deserving winners for this year!

SOUTH EAST WINE OF THE YEAR 2012

For more information on the Scharfenbergerrange of winemaking equipment contact Core Equipment at or call on

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Alsace Study Tour 2013Following the highly successful study tour to Champagne held in 2011, the SEVA committee has decided to arrange another study tour for 2013. Members at the AGM were asked if they would prefer to visit the Loire or Alsace region, and voted overwhelmingly for the lattter.

SEVA are currently gathering expressions of interest and hope to have more details and dates con� rmed in the next few months. At this stage it looks likely to go ahead in mid-June 2013.

The visit is likely to include visits to vineyards, wineries, large and small producers and involve a lot of tasting! This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about production and viticulture techniques used in the region, and to enjoy a short break at the same time whilst getting to know fellow SEVA members.

SEVA hopes to secure some funding towards the cost of the visit and o� er members an excellent opportunity to experience the wines of region and learn a great deal at a very reasonable price. Attendance will be open to all UKVA members, but places for SEVA members will be prioritised. The more attendees we get, the better the price is likely to be so don’t be shy!

If you are interested in attending, please email southeastvineyards@gmail.com. More details will follow in due course...

Photo of Andlau Bas-Rhin, in the Alsace region by Rolf Krahl, 2005, reproduced under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic, 2.0 Generic and 1.0 Generic license.

Alsace Study Tour 2013

bespoke contract winemakingHattingley Valley Wineslower wield, hampshire

bespoke

Hattingley Valley o�ers wine growers the complete range of �exible contract winemaking services from our custom-built winery in East Hampshire.

• Harvest operations through to bottling and disgorging – or opt for a full package

• A range of the latest grape presses to suit varying volumes and wine styles

• A dedicated team led by internationally experienced winemaker, Emma Rice

• Pest and Disease monitoring and other grower services

• An on-site wine analysis laboratory

• Central location in the heart of England

To discuss what we can do for your next vintage, please call Simon Checketts on 01256 389188 or e-mail o�ce@hattingleyvalley.co.uk

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Hattingley Valley o�ers wine growers the complete range of �exible contract winemaking services from our custom-built winery in East Hampshire.

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To discuss what we can do for your next vintage, please call Simon Checketts on 01256 389188 or e-mail o�ce@hattingleyvalley.co.uk

SEVA Diary DatesThurs 7th June 2012 • - South East Wine of the Year Awards

Ceremony 2012, Denbies Wine Estate, 6.30pm

End June 2012 • - New SEVA website to be launched

Early July 2012• - Next issue of SEVAnews released

Sat 1st September 2012 • - SEVA Summer BBQ at Bluebell

Vineyard, 3pm - 9pm, all are welcome

Thurs 22nd November 2012• - Post Harvest Meal (details TBC)

To book a place at any of the above events, contact us by email: southeastvineyards@gmail.com or call Lila: 07907 460347.

Some of you may have noticed certain functions on the SEVA website are not currently in operation. This is because the SEVA site is currently undergoing an upgrade and the new site should be launching towards early July. All SEVA members will be entitled to a password and login to access useful SEVA documents. We also hope to be able to give more information about our members, what they do, links to websites and general increased functionality. Any suggestions for changes are welcome and can be directed to us at southeastvineyards@gmail.com. We hope you will bear with us while the update progresses, and we’ll let you know as soon as it is ready to launch.

Website Update

FOLLOWING THE ONGOING DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW IPHONE APP MAPPING UK VINEYARDS, OUR EXCITING NEW PROGRAM IS NEARLY READY TO LAUNCH, AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!....

The UK Vineyards Guide iPhone app looks likely to launch in the next couple of months. Since last year, we’ve been gathering data directly from vineyards via an online survey. Vineyard details, location and other data is entered into our database and transposed onto an interactive map which forms the basis of the app so users can � nd information about vineyards in their proximity. Users will be able to access information about opening hours, wines available, special events, contact details and more, and will be kept up to date with the latest wine news linked in via our new @Englishwinenews Twitter feed (see p10 for more details).

The app will retail at a cost of around £2.39 per download. Any funds generated over and above the development costs will be channelled into research and development projects for the bene� t of the UK wine industry.

PROMOTING THE APP

We need all UK vineyards to help us to promote the app, via websites, social media, word of mouth, displaying the QR code being released shortly, and advertising in their email signatures and vineyard shops. We’ll be updating you on how you can help! It really will be to your bene� t to help as best you can, to publicise the industry and increase the visibility of all UK producers and vineyards, including your own!

If you’ve not yet provided us with information we urge you to do this ASAP via the online survey, found by clicking here.

We also need photos and logos of all vineyards, so if you’ve not yet provided these, please email them ASAP to southeastvineyards@gmail.com.

UK Vineyards iPhone app to launch soon We aim to supply you quality machinery

and equipment in order to take care of your vines from the moment of planting using the latest ideas and cost-effective methods, including narrow tractors, mowers, sprayers, spreaders, cultivators and frost monitoring & protection. On-site servicing and huge spare parts stock including carbon fi lters and Felco & ARS pruning tools.

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Fast Ltd has been providing advice to commercial fruit growers for over 30 years.

Our Viticulture Advisor, Duncan McNeill is a grower himself, who speaks your language and knows what it takes to make your vineyard a success.

Contact Fast Viticulture for a comprehensive advisory package tailored to suit your vineyard.

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v i t i c u l t u r e

WineSkills is the EU funded training initiative created by Plumpton College to support the up-skilling of the UK wine production industry. Since the project launch back in February 2010, Wineskills has delivered 178 courses (62 in the South East) for 1792 trainees.

TRAININGOn the right you can � nd our training dairy for June to September. The full list of upcoming training is available on our website (http://wineskills.co.uk/training/list), from where you can book a place on any of our courses.

Please contact Jo Cowderoy (jo.cowderoy@plumpton.ac.uk) with your suggestions for future training requirements.

MENTORINGIn addition to organising workshops and masterclasses, WineSkills o� ers access to the expertise and guidance of top consultants as part of our mentoring scheme.

The next round of WineSkills mentoring opportunities will be available in July – September 2012. Information about the mentoring programme, previous mentoring reports and eligibility criteria for the grant-funded rate is available on the WineSkills website (http://wineskills.co.uk/training/mentoring).

To register your interest in receiving a mentor visit with regard to still wine production, sparkling wine production, vinegrowing & vineyard management, wine business & marketing or sustainable wine production, please contact alistair.nesbitt@plumpton.ac.uk.

Not yet attended a WineSkills event? Register at our website - www.wineskills.co.uk - to book online and access a fantastic range of resources available to all those working in the UK wine production industry.

WINESKILLS NEWSUPCOMING COURSES

*The VPS (Vineyard Practical Skills) workshops are practical based sessions o� ering pro� ciency with vineyard manual and machinery skills delivered by the Vine-Works team in small, informal groups.

SPARKLING WINE CONFERENCE: What can UK Wine learn from the Champagne Wine Industry?

Mon, 11/06 Masterclass Plumpton College, East Sussex, East Sussex

MASTERCLASS - How to obtain good vine planting material with Helen Waite

Wed, 13/06 Masterclass Plumpton College, Nr. Lewes, East Sussex

VPS 7 Canopy management and summer vineyard work Fri, 15/06 Workshop Court Gardens Vineyard, East

Sussex

Wine Analysis Thu 21/06 Workshop Custom Crush, West Sussex

“Pinot Noir” with Roland Harrison from Lincoln University, NZ. Tue, 26/06 Workshop Hattingley Valley, Hampshire

Managing vineyard diseases with Chris Foss Thu, 12/07 Workshop The Vintners Room, Nr. Lewes,

East Sussex

VPS 8 Weed ideni� cation & control Fri, 13/07 Workshop Court Gardens Vineyard, E Sussex

VPS 9 Disease recognition and control Fri, 03/08 Workshop Court Gardens Vineyard, East

Sussex

Wine Analysis Tue, 04/09 Workshop Hattingley Valley, Hampshire

Sensory Evaluation with Wendy Parr from Lincoln University, NZ. Fri, 07/09 Masterclass TBA

VPS 10 Vineyard harvest preparations Fri, 07/09 Workshop Court Gardens Vineyard, East

Sussex

CLICK ON THE COURSE TITLES ABOVE TO ACCESS THE WINESKILLS WEBSITE AND BOOK A PLACE.

SPONSOR THE SEVA!If you are interested in sponsoring the SEVA by taking out an advertisement in our regular newsletter, or getting a link on our website, email us at southeastvineyards@gmail.com or call Lila: 07907 460347. We o� er an excellent opportunity to reach a wide target audience whilst supporting the work of the association at the same time. Get in touch!

SPONSOR THE SEVA!

Follow us on Twitter! @englishwinenews

Join us at Glynde Festival

SEVA are launching an exciting new Twitter feed, which will give up to date news about the English Wine industry. This will link into our soon-to-launch iPhone app, giving users the latest information about what’s going on in the world of English Wine. We aim to start making full use of the account in coming weeks. All UKVA members are welcome to suggest news tweets (we will vet carefully!) - please email southeastvineyards@gmail.com or direct message us at our account, @englishwinenews, and please do follow us!

SEVA will be representing members at the upcoming Glynde Food and English Wine festival, 14th - 15th July 2012, at Glynde Place. We’ll be o� ering samples of members’ wines for tasting and giving out information about SEVA producers. If any vineyards are interested in sharing the stand, the cost will be very reasonable, and if you have a license to sell you’ll be welcome to do so. Alternatively if you’d just rather o� er a few bottles for sampling, we’d be happy to take them. We could also do with hands on deck for manning the stand, if anyone is prepared to pitch in! Please get in touch to take part in this excellent publicity opportunity....

Every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information provided in this

publication, however no liability can be accepted by the SEVA for any

loss occasioned to any person or entity acting or failing to act as a result

of anything contained in or omitted from the content of this publication.

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HATTINGLEY VALLEY - BESPOKE CONTRACT WINEMAKING: WWW.HATTINGLEYVALLEY.CO.UK

NP SEYMOUR - SUPPLIERS OF QUALITY MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT TO THE VITICULTURE INDUSTRY:

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VINE WORKS - COMPLETE VINEYARD ESTABLISHMENT / MANAGEMENT SERVICE: WWW.VINE-WORKS.COM

Suppliers & advertisers

If you are interested in taking out an advertisement in our newsletter, or sponsoring us with a link on our website, please email us at

southeastvineyards@gmail.com or call Lila: 07907 460347.

SEVA, c/o Plumpton College, Ditchling Road, Plumpton, Nr Lewes, BN7 3AE. Website: http://seva.uk.com

Chair: Chris Foss: chris.foss@plumpton.ac.uk / tel: 01273 892018Administrator: Lila Hunnisett: southeastvineyards@gmail.com / tel: 07907 460347

Treasurer: Ben Walgate: benjaminwalgate@yahoo.co.ukNewsletter designed by Lila Hunnisett: email: lila@lilahunnisett.com

NEED A NEW LOGO OR WEBSITE?NEED A NEW LOGO OR WEBSITE?Professional logo design, branding, label design, websites, advertisements and more. Full consultation and tailored design service to create the perfect identity for your produce or services. Email: hello@lilahunnisett.comfor details and samples, or call 07907 460347.

Follow us on Twitter!

Join us at Glynde FestivalIf you are interested in taking out an advertisement in our newsletter,