This is a new book on the English wine scene written from the coal face by a boutique wine producer of sparkling wine.
In Ancient Land, Pastures New, Christopher Cooke offers a monthly account of the trials and tribulations he and his partner experience planting a boutique vineyard from scratch on ancient pasture in a beautiful part of West Berkshire; the ups and downs of nurturing its development over ten years; the descriptions of the passing seasons in the vineyard as they grapple with a chaotic climate; and the huge pleasures provided by the helpers, friends and charming visitors who come to visit or lend a hand.
And, not forgetting, of course, the joys of producing English sparkling wine in a cool climate.
Told in a light style with wry humour, the book could be seen as a cross between a vigneron’s alternative to A Year in Provence and a vine-hikers A-Z guide to planting in England.
The book comprises a mix of personal diaries covering the planning, creation and running of the vineyard, with chapters on organics and biodynamics, what Mother Nature throws at us on a regular basis, and the art of ‘low intervention’ winemaking.
Having been immersed in the English wine scene for over ten years and chairman of one of the English wine regions, Christopher is fortunate to know many of the movers and shakers in what is a young, exciting industry – the newest of new world wine regions. He has spent most of his career in publishing, firstly in books and latterly in consumer magazines.
- RRP £17.50.
- 224pp, paperback.
- ISBN 978 13 99988 15 5.
- Published September 2024.
- Available from all good bookshops, including the Hungerford Bookshop: retailers can order it from Gardners or West Berks Press.
Over the last few years, the sparkling wines from Winding Wood have won numerous wine awards in national competitions. This year they won WineGB Awards 2024, Trophy for Best Sparkling Rosé and Independent English Wine Awards 2024, Trophy for Top Sparkling Wine. Small can be beautiful…
Reviews for Ancient Land, Pastures New: The Creation of a Small English Vineyard
“This book is at its best when you read it as a diary – chatty, informative, sometimes quite private, sometimes positively philosophical. And always honest. As Christopher says,“Life in the vineyard would not be the same without the regular existential crisis.” And so it proves as Christopher battles frosts, pests, the English weather and Brexit.”
Oz Clarke, OBE
“Being able to perfectly position a written work as both a joyful exploration, a cautionary tale, an instructional manual and a heartfelt diary, is a task approximately as challenging and monumental as creating the finest sparkling rosé in England from a small biodynamic vineyard in Berkshire – but Ancient Land Pastures New achieves exactly that. An essential, rewarding read not just for English wine geeks, but for those who might like to learn much, much more about the English wine movement.”
Alex Taylor, Founder, Independent English Wine Awards
“Christopher writes with humour, insight and a keen sense of the dramatic about the difficulties of growing exceptional grapes in his small vineyard in Berkshire. Do not even think about planting a vineyard without reading a copy of Ancient Land, Pastures New. I only wish I could have had some Christopher’s insight before writing my own book on English wine.”
Henry Jeffreys, Wines in a Cold Climate, 2022 Fortnum & Mason Drink Writer of the Year
‘This is a must read for anyone contemplating planting a vineyard so they can better understand the commitment they are making. The romance of wine is entrancing, and Christopher Cooke’s experience firmly strips away the rose-tinted spectacles.”
Simon Robinson, Chairman of Hattingley Valley and ex-Chairman of WineGB
“An invaluable insight into the rigours and near obsession needed to produce healthy grapes and distinctive wines. This book will either inspire you or put you off having a vineyard.”
Hugo Stewart, Domaine Hugo, Biodynamic Wine Producer
