Exciting things
At the Rutland Vineyard
What’s Happening at Rutland Vineyard
Rutland Vineyard is evolving in exciting ways — from new plantings and countryside experiences to fresh additions around the estate. This page brings together everything taking shape across the vineyard, giving you a glimpse of what’s new, what’s growing, and what’s coming next.
Location, location, location
Located between the river Welland and Chater, 70m above sea level and facing south we’ve got prime part of Rutland. Hard to think 160 million years ago this would have been England’s south coast!
Jurassic soil means one thing...
OK, so we may not see any velociraptors today but we are on soil that formed in the mid Jurassic period. England’s largest dinosaur was discovered only two miles up the Welland Valley in 1970. This is The Rutland dinosaur and it’s a Cetiosaurus- you can see her in our logo! Keep your eyes out for dinosaur bones near the vines!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetiosaurus
Then in 2022 look what else was found just down the road....
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-59902730
English wines are getting brilliant
English white and sparkling wines are now winning international awards. The whole industry is taking off and with the weather warming up the future is looking very tasty.
Our First Crush 2023 vintage (first ever harvest) white and red wine both picked up WineGB Silver awards putting them at the top of their categories.
Carefully selected varieties
This is tricky. Vines will last thirty years so this matters! Luckily thanks to our Master of Wine we think we’ve got a great line up and chosen good rootstocks. See them all in the ‘What’s growing on’ section.
Carbon Neutral
With everyone being so busy and so much information out there we thought we would make this easy. If you drink our wines then we promise, and will show, that you are helping to take carbon out of the atmosphere.
Helping climate change and sipping wine - what’s not to like?
The Rutland Six Pack Track
Can you spot them all? Barn owls, hedgehogs, butterflies, honey bees, hares and dinosaurs are all there somewhere!
Row post sponsorship!
We are nothing without you (yes you). We want anyone that’s wants to, to be a part of our adventure. We have row post sponsorships where you can get your name in the vineyard and you'll be first in line when we release our own wine! We also hope to have a charity ball in the vineyard for members once we’re up and growing.
5km Saturday runs
Well we have to balance things out...... don’t we?! From the barn to the end of farm track and back is 5km. How about you run this every Saturday and we’ll provide the incentives?! Hopefully we can get this going for in 2026!
Contact us to find out more.
Limestone rich Blisworth soils
Some exalt limestone as the finest wine-producing soil in the world and, indeed, it is found in many famous regions (Burgundy is the nearest). It forms from the decomposed bodies of mollusks, fish and dinosaurs that once lived in ancient seabeds and reefs. Limestone drains well but also hold water for vines to absorb when needed. Wines made in limestone soils are generally long-lived and have bright, linear acidity.
Welcoming you into the vineyard
Be it a quick walk with your dog on a winters day, or a catch up under the sun with a cold glass of Bacchus with friends we can’t wait to welcome you. We will be as open as possible in why and what and we do, and really hope you’ll join us on this exciting venture.
Tim and Zoe and The Rutland Vineyard team.
Changeable timeline!
December 21- We opened to sell The Rutland Vineyard hattrick set and welcome people into the barn.
January 22- We closed down to finish off the tasting barn, lay the patio, plant more trees and finish off the six pack track.
March 22- We opened the vineyard and the catering facilities offering cakes, delicious fresh coffee along with wine sales.
28th May 22- We celebrated our first birthday! A big party in the vineyard.
June July 22- John Atkinson MW ran tours around the vineyard.
January 23- we winter pruned the vineyard back to four buds, getting ready for a big year ahead.
Spring 23- we look to expand the vineyard with our delayed vines from Spring 22.
We had our 2nd birthday party in the vineyard
Summer 23- we ran regular tours and tastings around the vineyard.
The Rutland Vineyard also proudly hosted a beautiful wedding in the vineyard.
Autumn 23- our first harvest was hand picked by local volunteers (bribed by cake and wine).
Spring 24- we released our first ever home grown wine from the tasting barn, our First Crush white!
Summer 24- Our first two wines both (First Crush white and red) pick up WineGB Silver medal awards jointly topping their classes.
Autumn 24- we picked our Second Nature harvest. Our second vintage.
May 25- we expand the vineyard with 3,600 new vines taking the total to 20,000 vines & we release our Second Nature white.
December 25- we release Rutland’s 1st ever commercial sparkling style champagne! Our First Fizz is a Blanc de Noirs 2023 vintage. Super proud moment.