​Last night, we welcomed members of our Young People in Food & Farming (YPFF) network to the beautiful Rutland Vineyard for an evening of wine, networking and discovery.

The event attracted a fantastic turnout, bringing together young professionals from across the food, farming and rural sectors. After arriving at the vineyard, attendees were split into groups, with one half enjoying a guided tour of the vines while the other explored the winery and tasting experience.

What quickly became clear is that Rutland Vineyard is about far more than wine.

From Dinosaurs to Vineyards

Standing among the vines overlooking the Rutland countryside, we were transported back 160 million years to the Jurassic period. The landscape we know today was once beneath the sea, forming part of what would have been the south coast of England.

This prehistoric history is central to the vineyard's identity. Their logo even features dinosaurs alongside a wine glass, reflecting the connection between the land beneath our feet and the wine produced today.

The vineyard sits on a rare band of Jurassic limestone soil, a geological feature shared with some of the world's most renowned wine-growing regions. Areas such as Burgundy and the Jura Valley in France were formed during the same geological period, creating similar limestone-rich conditions that are highly regarded for viticulture.

It's this soil that first inspired the vineyard owners to plant vines in 2021.

Why Soil Matters

For many crops, deep fertile soils are considered ideal. For vines, however, the opposite can often be true.

At Rutland Vineyard, there is only around 30cm of topsoil before solid limestone lies beneath. This forces the vines to work harder, pushing roots deep into the ground in search of water and nutrients.

The result? Smaller grapes with more concentrated flavours and sugars.

As we learned during the tour, successful vineyards are often found on stony slopes and seemingly challenging ground. The mild stress experienced by the vines encourages them to focus their energy on producing high-quality fruit rather than excessive vegetative growth.

It's a reminder that, in agriculture, the best outcomes don't always come from the easiest conditions.

Building a Vineyard from the Ground Up

The vineyard itself is still relatively young having established itself in 2021. Today, the site has expanded to around 20,000 vines, with additional planting completed in subsequent years.

Each vine begins life grafted onto a specially selected rootstock, chosen for its resistance to pests and its ability to thrive in local conditions. During the first few years, significant pruning takes place to encourage strong root development rather than fruit production, helping the vines become resilient in the years ahead.

The attention to detail involved in establishing and maintaining a vineyard quickly became apparent. From pruning and canopy management to monitoring weather conditions and soil health, every decision plays a role in the quality of the final wine.

Climate Change and English Wine

One of the most interesting discussions of the evening focused on the changing climate and its impact on wine production.

English wine has enjoyed significant growth in recent years, helped by warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons. In fact, the vineyard team highlighted how conditions in parts of England are increasingly comparable to those found in traditional European wine regions only a few decades ago.

While greater sunshine can improve fruit ripening, it also brings challenges. Earlier budding increases the risk of spring frosts, while prolonged periods of heat and drought can place additional pressure on vines.

For vineyards, adapting to these changing conditions is becoming an increasingly important part of long-term planning.

Harvest Time

Perhaps one of the most impressive figures shared during the tour was the scale of this year's harvest.

The vineyard welcomed around 120 volunteers who helped harvest approximately 17 tonnes of grapes in just six to seven hours. It's an incredible effort and a testament to the sense of community that surrounds the vineyard.

Among the varieties grown is Bacchus, a grape often regarded as England's signature white wine variety, known for its fresh, aromatic and fruit-forward character.

Bringing People Together

While we all left with a greater appreciation of viticulture, geology and the challenges of wine production, the event was ultimately about bringing people together.

The Young People in Food & Farming network was created to connect individuals working across the sector, providing opportunities to learn, build relationships and gain new perspectives. Rutland Vineyard proved to be the perfect setting for exactly that.

A huge thank you to the team at Rutland Vineyard for sharing their knowledge and passion with us, and to everyone who attended.

We look forward to seeing you at the next YPFF event.

Our Young People in Food & Farming Group