Tinwood’s New Lodges – for Wildlife!
Estate owner Jody has been busy in the vineyard over the last couple of days. She has built 18 more lodges (wildlife boxes) on the estate with the help of Peak Boxes! We now have 3 barn owl boxes, 2 kestrel boxes, 1 small owl box, 6 bat boxes, and 4 hedgehog boxes to house the wildlife we have here at Tinwood.
This is in a mission for Tinwood Estate to encourage and protect more wildlife. “I have always loved animals,” says Jody Tukker, “so it is really important for me to look after the wildlife that lives in our back garden.”
Jody has also been beekeeping on the estate to encourage the ecosystem. Tinwood produces honey from these bees, which customers can purchase in the Estate Shop or taste as part of a cheese board in the Vineyard Kitchen.
“I also love the educational element of our new wildlife homes,” Jody adds. “It means that vineyard guests—especially our lodge guests—can be inquisitive about our land at the foot of the South Downs and appreciate the beautiful location even more.”
In 2024, Tinwood Estate was awarded The Sustainable Wines of Great Britain award by Wine GB. This recognises a dedication to managing vineyards sustainably, with minimal pesticide and fertiliser inputs; protecting the vineyard soils to conserve the environment and encourage biodiversity; minimising carbon footprint per hectare.
Preserving the land at Tinwood Estate is important for honouring the history of the farm while protecting the wildlife that shares a home with Tinwood’s owners, and ensuring English viticulture continues to thrive for future generations.