Woodvalley

V   I   N   E   Y   A   R   D   S

FSA Approved 2024

Copyright © 2024 Woodvalley Vineyards Ltd

All enquiries to: info@woodvalleyvineyards.co.uk

Woodvalley Farm, Outwood Common Road, Billericay, Essex CM11 1HN

This website is hosted by Hostinger.com using 100% renewable energy

Members of The Great British Vineyard Guide

Supporters of the Soil Association

McNeill Vineyard Management

Sponsored by

Alden Rose, Billericay

 www.aldenrose.co.uk

Low Energy Building Design

ABOUT US

Situated across the road from Norsey Woods, Woodvalley Vineyards is run by a group of 4 local residents.  With backgrounds in Passivhaus & Architecture, Construction, Property Development and Finance we have taken the leap into a journey unknown to realise the landowner’s lifelong dream of establishing a vineyard on the land.

 We now have two full seasons under our belt and are ready to tackle the next phase with guidance from McNeill Vineyard Management of Essex.  Duncan McNeill has a wealth of experience and knowledge, managing several estates in Essex.  He has also worked for Chapel Down in Tenderten, Kent so we are privileged to have his wisdom on hand.

MEET THE TEAM

Born and bred in Billericay, Keeley is currently the Basildon Borough’s only Certified Passive House Consultant & Designer, working on energy efficient buildings throughout the country.  She has 3 Government-recognised TrustMark qualifications in Retrofit and Energy Efficiency Advice and is a Traditional & Historic Buildings specialist.  

“Studying energy efficient buildings for nearly a decade has completely changed me and made me aware of the damage we have done to the planet in just a few decades.  Owning a vineyard is another part I can play in the fight against Climate Change. During the week I advise homeowners around the country how to reduce their energy bills and make their homes more efficient, and at the weekends I am out in the fresh air working with nature.  Working alongside Joe’s Blooms to bring in the New Biodiversity Net Gains planning legislation has shown me what an important role our landscapes play in removing carbon from the atmosphere.  For me personally this is a 2-part journey that has changed my life for the better, and I hope to help make a difference for our future generations on both parts, raising awareness of the Climate Crisis in our built environment and our landscapes.”

Kevin has been a lifelong resident of Essex, moving to Billericay in 1990s. Taking early retirement to care for his father in 2022, his career in the construction industry as a carpenter, floor layer and all-round interiors contractor has seen him working for a host of  famous people and in many well-known buildings worldwide.

“I followed Keeley’s Passivhaus journey with her and really appreciated the effect the built environment and human actions have had on the planet.  At first we made small changes to our lifestyles and were conscious about recycling and making our garden more pollinator-friendly.  We wanted to help protect the world for our grandchildren and their children, and to protect the local countryside.  

Alison is a newcomer to Essex moving here with Jay in 2017.  She has spent her career working in the City, also alongside this Alison and Jay have been volunteering with homeless charities for over 20 years.  They also work with other charities to supply high standard social housing.

“Like the others, I love being out in the fresh air at the weekends and any days off, and just watching the vines grow week-by-week through the seasons.  It is a huge learning curve for all of us, but every day we see something new whether it is an insect, a wildflower or a vine reaching up to the sun.  We want to help regenerate the fallow fields that surround the town  and really encourage the biodiversity to the land, it is such a joy watching a butterfly or a ladybird wander around the site. We have planted long stretches of wildflower meadows along the boundary which are being extended this year with plenty of bee friendly species. Our aim is to follow the permaculture principles and regenerative farming practices, letting mother nature do its work in a natural setting. Working closely with the local biodiversity experts we ultimately want to open our doors to everyone to help create new habitats across the area.”

Jay has also spent his career in the City, with a small break to retrain as a plumber.  Jay was born and bred in Essex, moving to Billericay with Alison from Southeast London to become Kevin & Keeley’s next door neighbours.  Becoming instant friends, they turned to Keeley to design many of their social housing projects.

 “Working in the office during the week, it is the best feeling to get out into the fresh air and do something really productive.  I have long been a champion of making our buildings energy efficient and the vineyard is an additional way to help the environment. I feel like we are making a difference to the world even on our small scale. Working in the vineyard is so good for mental health, we ultimately want to give everyone the opportunity to get involved and see how great it makes you feel after just a couple of hours.  Vines play an important role in combating Climate Change, just one hectare can remove a tonne of carbon from the atmosphere and store it safely in the ground, its complex root structure improves the soil and helps create new habitats.  We would love to see the entire town surrounded by vineyards and if we can make this field a success then who knows what the future holds for Billericay. It would be such a positive way to remove the entire carbon footprint of a town whilst creating employment opportunities, bringing the community together and protecting our Green Belt whilst making local produce.”

Our Mission Statement

• Our foundations are built on our values, being socially responsible for our actions, and a firm commitment to protecting the planet now to provide a brighter future for the next generations
• We believe that farming can be climate smart, deforestation free and pollinator friendly without the need for continued use of harmful chemicals
• We see our vineyard as a holistic ecological system and we will strive to develop viticultural practices that produce the highest quality produce whilst also being sensitive to the environment
• We aim to minimise our ecological footprint and lead by example in implementing sustainable practices across all aspects of our operation
•  We are committed to improving the soil structure and below ground ecosystems for the long term health of the environment

• As the business develops through the future our mission is to embed sustainability throughout the entire operation
• We will constantly strive to achieve a cleaner, safer and healthier world for now and the long term future
• We will continue to enhance the current biodiversity throughout the site and build on the foundations we have initiated, creating new habitats for all species
•  We aim to grow into a viable business enterprise that creates local employment and brings the community together
• We will work closely with local residents and societies to help educate homeowners on increasing the biodiversity and on reducing their own carbon footprints through sustainable living

As I am now caring for my father I saw the vineyard as an opportunity to give back something to the community and really help regenerate low-grade agriculture.  I want our vineyard to be the start of something bigger that will put Billericay on the map for world wines one day and bring the local community together, whilst increasing the local biodiversity and upgrading our fallow fields.  We feel that it is a positive “win-win” enterprise in every way; good for the planet and good for the community.  We would love to surround the town with vineyard sites in the not too distant future! ”