Our Winemakers
At Davenport, our vineyard runs on teamwork. We’re lucky to have a brilliant, hands-on crew who share a commitment to growing the best quality organic grapes and producing outstanding English wines - together.
Will Davenport
The journey began with Will Davenport, who planted his first vines back in 1991.
With a background in winemaking from Roseworthy Agricultural College in Australia and experience across the wine worlds of Alsace, California, and the UK, Will remains at the heart of the business and winery as Head Winemaker.
When he’s not in the cellar, he’s tending to the wider farm at Rotherfield- home to sheep, bees, woodlands, and plenty of wildlife.
The day-to-day running of the vineyards is led by Ben Connor, who joined us in 2014 after graduating in Viticulture and Oenology from Plumpton College. His deep knowledge of organic viticulture and calm, steady approach keep the vines - and the team - in good shape all year round.
Supporting him is Ben Ralph, also a Plumpton graduate, who started with us on placement and stayed on, bringing great energy, fresh ideas, and a real enthusiasm for sustainable farming.
Our full-time crew includes Vlad Borosko (formerly of the Hazel Street orchards), Oscar Boulter, and Lisa Gartshore.
From May to November, we’re also joined by seasonal staff (some regular) who help with canopy management, trimming, and vineyard care - plus a cheerful band of harvest pickers, whose efforts are vital to each vintage.
And while he’s now busy running his own vineyard in East Sussex, we’re glad to still have former Vineyard Manager Phil Harris on board one day a week - his long-standing knowledge of our land is always welcome!
We believe in pitching in - from vineyard work like pruning, tying down, and wire-lifting, to winery support, bottling, and getting orders out the door.
But everyone also brings their own strengths: Vlad is happiest on the tractor, Ben Ralph thrives outdoors, Oscar and Lisa often jump into winery tasks, and Lisa also lends a hand with marketing, working alongside Will on exciting plans for tours, tastings, and the new winery shop.
Big vineyard jobs call for all hands on deck — and there’s always something new to tackle!
The day-to-day running of the vineyards is led by Ben Connor, who joined us in 2014 after graduating in Viticulture and Oenology from Plumpton College. His deep knowledge of organic viticulture and calm, steady approach keep the vines - and the team - in good shape all year round.
Supporting him is Ben Ralph, also a Plumpton graduate, who started with us on placement and stayed on, bringing great energy, fresh ideas, and a real enthusiasm for sustainable farming.
Our full-time crew includes Vlad Borosko (formerly of the Hazel Street orchards), Oscar Boulter, and Lisa Gartshore.
From May to November, we’re also joined by seasonal staff (some regular) who help with canopy management, trimming, and vineyard care - plus a cheerful band of harvest pickers, whose efforts are vital to each vintage.
And while he’s now busy running his own vineyard in East Sussex, we’re glad to still have former Vineyard Manager Phil Harris on board one day a week - his long-standing knowledge of our land is always welcome!
We believe in pitching in - from vineyard work like pruning, tying down, and wire-lifting, to winery support, bottling, and getting orders out the door.
But everyone also brings their own strengths: Vlad is happiest on the tractor, Ben Ralph thrives outdoors, Oscar and Lisa often jump into winery tasks, and Lisa also lends a hand with marketing, working alongside Will on exciting plans for tours, tastings, and the new winery shop.
Big vineyard jobs call for all hands on deck — and there’s always something new to tackle!
There’s not much of a hierarchy at Davenport - everyone plays a hands-on role. It’s a shared passion for what we do, and a genuine love for working with nature, that brings us together to craft wines that reflect the land they come from.
