Sustainability Month: Wildshark – a holistic sustainability strategy
A deep dive into Wildshark Vineyard’s holistic approach to sustainability at the vineyard and beyond.
At Wildshark Vineyard in Kent, sustainability is part of how we grow, work and think about the future. From the way we care for our vines to the wildlife we encourage and the people we bring into the vineyard, our approach is centred on working with nature rather than against it. We truly believe a healthy vineyard is about more than the grapes it produces. It is about creating an environment where vines, wildlife and the surrounding landscape can thrive together.
Biodiversity and the Natural Environment
We have made biodiversity a priority from the outset, introducing native wildflowers, hedgerows and habitats to support a diverse range of wildlife. Bee hives provide additional habitats for beneficial insects and pollinators, while more than 8,000 trees have been planted in the surrounding area to enhance the landscape and support local eco systems. Across the estate, we’ve installed bat and owl boxes to encourage natural predators, while our chalk banks and beetle hotels provide habitats for insects and other invertebrates.
Our natural springs and chalk streams are another special feature of the estate, supporting wildlife including emperor dragonflies and native crayfish. We’ve also reintroduced native wildflowers to help support pollinators and encourage insect life among the vines.
It’s important for us to continually introduce and explore practical steps towards creating a vineyard that works in harmony with its natural surroundings, encouraging biodiversity alongside the production of our wines.
Reducing Waste Through Innovation
We continually look for ways to make our vineyard operations more efficient. For example, our Friuli two-row sprayer allows unused spray product to be recirculated, which reduces the amount of wasted product, limits the amount of spray affecting other flora and fauna, and still protects the vines. Depending on the stage of the growing season, the system can deliver significant savings, with our calculated seasonal average at approximately 50%. This investment enforces our commitment to finding practical ways to reduce waste through better technology.
Caring for the Land
Our approach to vineyard management includes cover crops, companion planting and a focus on soil health and biodiversity. We aim to work with the natural environment, encouraging a balanced ecosystem and making considered choices about how we manage our land. It’s important to note that sustainable viticulture is an ongoing process, and we will continue to explore ways to improve our practices as the vineyard develops and the climate changes.
People in the Vineyard
Sustainability also means people. During harvest, we paid members of our local community to help bring in the grapes, giving them the opportunity to experience the process first-hand and become part of the story behind our wines.
As Wildshark is part of the Elite Pubs family, we also bring our hospitality teams into the vineyard. The pub teams have opportunities to get involved and trained up in vineyard activities, join in with Wildshark events and take part in tours. Every six months, we provide front-of-house wine training covering winemaking, tasting and service, helping our teams understand the journey from vine to glass. By sharing our knowledge and experience, we aim to build a stronger connection between the vineyard, our pubs and the people who enjoy our wines.
Reduce and Reuse in Our Cellar Door
Our temporary shop has been created with a little imagination and a focus on making the most of what we already have. We’ve reused tables and repurposed building materials from projects across our wider pub group, giving existing materials a new lease of life rather than buying everything new. It’s a simple, practical way to reduce waste while creating a welcoming space for visitors to enjoy.
With construction planned to begin in 2027 for our new visitor centre, it will give us the opportunity to take this approach further. We’re exploring options for renewable energy, including solar panels and heat pumps, alongside rainwater harvesting. These features are part of our plans for a more resource-conscious building, with the aim of reducing its environmental impact.
Championing English Wine
As both a vineyard and part of the Elite Pubs family, we are passionate about championing English wine. Across our pubs, we give locally produced wines a prominent place on our wine lists, celebrating the quality, character and diversity of wines made here in England alongside those from around the world.
For us, it is about more than the wine in the glass. It is about supporting local producers, celebrating our home-grown industry and helping more people discover the exceptional wines being made on their doorstep. By bringing Wildshark wines and other English wines to our pub tables, we are helping to build a stronger connection between the vineyards that produce them and the people who enjoy them.
Looking Ahead
At Wildshark, we are committed to developing a vineyard that produces quality English wines while respecting the land on which they grow. Through biodiversity, more efficient vineyard technology, thoughtful land management and community involvement, we are working to make sustainability part of everyday practice. For us, it’s about making thoughtful choices, celebrating the character of our land and finding ways to give back to the environment around us. It’s an ongoing journey, and one that we’re excited to keep developing as the vineyard grows.
We’d love to welcome you to Wildshark to experience it for yourself. Come and explore the vines, discover the wildlife that calls the estate home and enjoy a taste of our wines, made here in the Kent countryside. Whether you join us for a vineyard tour, a tasting or simply a glass among the vines, there’s plenty to discover.
