Charlotte and Jonathan
Charlotte and Jonathan have lived at Ketches since 2007. Charlotte works as a psychodynamic therapist, and Jonathan has spent his entire career in finance. Planting a vineyard on the land at Ketches marks an exciting new phase in their lives, as they enter the world of viticulture and winemaking. Their dream is to produce hand-crafted, premium wines from their beautiful site in Newick—wines they hope will be enjoyed by the local community and beyond.
Working with their vineyard manager, Charles, the focus from day one has been on investing in the production of high-quality fruit, guided by the principle that you can’t make good wine from bad grapes. They are also committed to managing a sustainable and regenerative vineyard, with an emphasis on caring for the whole environment at Ketches for the very long term. Above all, they hope the vineyard will be appreciated and enjoyed as a resource for the whole community, while sharing the wines of Newick far and wide.
Charles: Vineyard Manager
Despite having grown up in English wine country in the South East, and after spending summers at his family’s house near the world class wine region of Bordeaux. It wasn’t until his university years in Australia that Charles developed a passion for growing grapes that are able to hold up a mirror to the place and people they are rooted in.
On his return to the UK, Charles has worked at some of the UK’s premier wine producers and went on to develop and manage the Countries’ first and only Apprenticeship specific to Viticulture at Plumpton College. This work, alongside, sitting on the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain Viticulture advisory committee, as well as, collaborating on cutting edge research projects, has placed him at the forefront of the UK’s evolving wine landscape.
It was these experiences and a drive to produce world-class wines which have ultimately led Charles to join us at Newick Wine Estate. Here he has continued to pursue the goal of crafting single-estate Wine which truly capture the spirit of where they are grown.
Linus: Vineyard Apprentice
Linus is our vineyard apprentice where he is developing his skills and knowledge across all areas of vineyard management. Before joining Newick Wine Estate, Linus spent three seasons at a leading English wine producer where his passion for viticulture grew.
Originally trained in Audio Technology, Linus brings a practical mindset and an eye for detail to his work. He has an interest in sustainable vineyard management and how this can enhance the health of the vineyard and reflect the unique character of Newick Wine Estate growing conditions.
Linus found Newick Wine Estate to be an ambitious and forward looking wine estate and felt it was the perfect match to begin his career in vineyard management, with the goal of contributing to the ongoing growth of excellent English wine.