Another Sunny Day at Dunesforde: Hand-Numbered Labels and New Friends

There’s something quietly satisfying about spending another sunny day at Dunesforde Vineyard, one of the most northerly vineyards in the whole of the UK. Planted in 2016 by the Townsend family, Dunesforde is a place where passion and community come together. Something I felt deeply again during my most recent volunteering visit.  

This time round, the task was different: hand-numbering bottle labels. You might not think of writing “34 of 1076” on a label as a meaningful act, but it quickly became clear that it was. The focus, the shared laughs, and the care each person brought to the table made it feel like more than just a job - it felt like a small contribution to something much bigger, a unique touch of individuality to each and every one of the varieties of award-winning cold climate wines.  

The vineyard’s gentle north-facing slope, protective microclimate, and carefully chosen vines are all part of a bigger vision: working in harmony with the land to craft wine with character - and to bring people and communities together.  

Without volunteers, this would not happen, I met a great group of ladies who travelled from far and wide and another sunny day well spent, not just helping out, but becoming part of Dunesforde’s unfolding story.