Great Vine

Function and beauty frequently come together in the design of horticultural structures. Having said that, I was still taken aback by the subject of this journal article – which is the most extraordinary structure that I have ever seen in New Zealand for the purposes of cultivation (or in fact any purpose).

This vinery stands in the lower field of a historic estate, where it has served the purpose of growing grapes for over 150 years – albeit with a significant hiatus before our clients restored it to its former glory (from a state of dereliction). It plays a similar role to a succession of structures that have housed The Great Vine (the world’s oldest documented grapevine) for more than 250 years at Hampton Court.

The glass panels of this beautiful triangular glasshouse face north, with venting facilitated by simple mechanisms – which were restored by local craftspeople at the time of its restoration. The brick wall to the south of the vinery offers thermal mass, in addition to shelter from the coldest winds. I have observed the effect firsthand of hedges casting a warmer, north-facing ‘shadow’ when frost occurs (as described to me years ago by a former orchardist).

Our horticultural architectural tour extended to a nearby property, where a former landowner had built a substantial walled garden adjacent to a grand house. The current owner had researched the history of this place and explained to us that the glasshouse structures at this property were heated with fire, which boys had to attend to every 2 hours (especially during the colder night-time hours). My sons really don’t know how easy they’ve got things.

Thanks to a remarkable coincidence, I also learned about some less salubrious contributions made by some delinquents towards the glasshouse pictured here. Just before our latest site visit, I was out for dinner with a guy who grew up at this estate, and heard about how he and a friend threw stones at the glass panels when the vinery was already in disrepair.

We’ll be checking your pockets next time you turn up here, Stru …..