Highdown Vineyard is owned by Paul and Aly Englefield. They started working in the wines at the start of 2010 and moved in with their family later that spring.
After a career in the film and TV industry Aly fell in love with viticulture when helping out with harvest at Greyfriars Vineyard on the North Downs. She subsequently went to Plumpton Agricultural College to do their courses on the Principles of Vineyard Management and the Principles of Winemaking and ended up studying for a BSc in Viticulture & Oenology as well as WSET courses up to Diploma level, which she is currently working on. Aly has also worked at other vineyards in the south east of England including Jenkyn’s Place, which produces award winning sparkling wine and Laverstoke Park, a biodynamic vineyard.
Paul also worked in the film industry where he was a cinematographer but he has embraced life at the vineyard. Over the past few years he has learnt about repairing trellis systems, pruning, spraying and mowing – I n fact anything to do with the tractor. He knows more about the running of ‘Missy Ferguson’ our old vineyard tractor than any one else.
