Wine Consultancy
About Simon Day
Simon has been involved with winemaking and viticulture from a very early age, growing up at Three Choirs Vineyards, which his father Tom Day established in 1973. As one of the few second-generation English winemakers, Simon has 30 plus years of knowledge and experience in English vineyards & winemaking, and has made wine in several UK vineyards, as well as stints making wine abroad. Since 2001, Simon has been a consultant to new and existing vineyards and wineries and has overseen well over 50 new vineyard plantings since then. With a thirst to produce remarkable & innovative wine and cider, Simon leads all things production, and still offers viticultural and winemaking advice to our contract and consultancy clients.
Consultancy
Viticultural, Winemaking and Cider Consultancy
Whether starting from scratch, taking over an existing vineyard, or if you have been running a vineyard or winery for years, you should carefully assess your need for up-to-date knowledge and advice. We offer consultancy to increase quality; increase profitability; reduce risk.
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Growing Grapes
Evaluation of Proposed Vineyard Site
Including climate data, aspect, soil analysis and preparation.
Vineyard design – Variety choice, trellis selection, plant spacing, row orientation and costings.
Evaluation of Existing Vineyards
Assess yields, maturity, desired wine styles. Sample soil and/or petioles for nutrient analysis and interpretation. Assess disease problems, cultural practices including canopy management.
Improving Wine Quality with Vineyard Management
Identification of problems and defects in wine quality, and the relationship to viticultural practices (variety selection, environmental conditions, trellis, nutrition, etc.)
Recommendation of remedial treatments and vineyard redevelopment plan where required
Ongoing evaluation of cultural methods, fruit quality and final wine quality.
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Making Wine
Winery Design
From initial concept to commissioning; working with your architects and builders, providing knowledge and understanding of the winemaking processes.
Equipment recommendations, sourcing, and commissioning.
Winemaking Instruction and Advice
Grape and must handling; primary, secondary and malolactic fermentation monitoring; stabilisation and filtration; using oak in winemaking; wine styles by design; blending advice; safe and sterile bottling and packaging.
Troubleshooting Problem Wines
Identification of problems and defects in juice or wine and methods to correct or reduce impact in finished wine.
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Cider production & Other Advice
Cider
Advice for small to medium scale cider & perry producers, from those just starting out, or looking for help scaling their business through to full cidery design & equipment requirements. We can also help and advise with EHO requirements & HACCP.
Product Development
Developing products that complement your wines or ciders and make use of equipment throughout the year. We have experience with non-wine products such as co-fermentation, liqueurs and distilled spirits.
Feasibility studies and Business Planning
Helping to ensure your business is profitable and commercially viable. Also helping to develop business plans for use in planning applications, grant applications, business loans etc.