Storms have a way of revealing the truth about land. You can talk about drainage, water flow, and maintenance all year long but it’s only when a proper storm arrives that you find out whether the system actually works.
During Storm Chandra, river levels rose sharply across the farm at Irish Wine Estates. The water was high, fast-moving, and under pressure. But crucially, it stayed within its banks and flowed away cleanly, without backing up or flooding surrounding fields.
That mattered.
High Water, But No Flooding
This section of the river has always been a potential weak point. When water levels rise, overgrown brambles, briars, and fallen debris can easily trap material, slow the flow, and cause blockages. In heavy rain, that’s often how flooding starts not because there’s too much water, but because it has nowhere to go.
Over recent months, we’ve spent a lot of time clearing this stretch of river. It’s quiet, unglamorous work, but essential. Standing here during Storm Chandra, watching the river running hard but clean, it feels like that effort may have made a real difference.
The water was doing exactly what it should do: moving through the system and away from the land.
Why River Management Matters in Ireland
In Ireland, managing water is one of the most important and most underestimated parts of farming. Heavy rainfall events are becoming more frequent, and poorly managed waterways can quickly undo years of good work.
When rivers back up:
- fields flood
- soil structure collapses
- access is lost
- and land can take months to recover
Keeping water moving protects soil health, preserves productivity, and gives land the resilience it needs to cope with increasingly unpredictable weather.
This kind of preparation is especially important as we plan for the future development of one of the most carefully considered vineyards in Ireland.
What This Teaches Us About Vineyards and Wine in Ireland
Viticulture in Ireland is inseparable from water management. Cool temperatures, high rainfall, and variable weather shape both how land behaves and the style of wine in Ireland itself.
Storm events like this provide invaluable information:
- where water accelerates
- where pressure builds
- how quickly land sheds excess rain
- and which areas remain resilient under stress
All of this feeds directly into how we plan vineyard blocks, access routes, drainage systems, and long-term land use. The same foundations that protect grassland today will one day support vines producing fresh, balanced wines including the long-term potential for Irish sparkling wine.
The Unseen Work Behind Irish Wine Estates
At Irish Wine Estates, we’re committed to showing the full reality behind building a wine estate, not just future bottles and vineyard rows, but the groundwork that protects the land long before vines are planted.
- River clearing
- Drainage maintenance
- Preparing for storms
This is the unseen work that underpins everything else. It’s what allows us to think confidently about the future, about welcoming people for wine tasting Ireland experiences and immersive wine tours Ireland, knowing the land beneath their feet has been cared for properly.
A Moment of Reassurance
Storm Chandra was a reminder that preparation matters. Not because storms aren’t serious, but because thoughtful, consistent land management can reduce their impact.
Watching the river run high but clean offered reassurance that we’re moving in the right direction, building Irish Wine Estates carefully, deliberately, and with respect for the climate we’re working in.
Watch the Video
You can watch the full video our little manual hedge cutting experience here.
It’s a short clip, but it captures a much bigger truth about farming, patience, and working with nature rather than against it.
Follow the Journey
To follow our progress as we build one of the most ambitious vineyard projects in the country:
- Website: https://irishwineestates.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/irishwineestates
- YouTube: @irishwineestates
Irish Wine Estates, our insane journey to build an Irish Wine Estate, one cold morning at a time.