Southern vineyard Penny managed had reservations (8)

I believe the answer is:

scrupled

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'had reservations' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'southern vineyard penny managed' is the wordplay.
'southern' becomes 's' (abbreviation).
'vineyard' becomes 'cru' (I've seen this before).
'penny' becomes 'p'.
'managed' becomes 'led'.
's'+'cru'+'p'+'led'='SCRUPLED'

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I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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