Our Story
Mayfield Vineyard is located in the heart of rural Lincolnshire on a 100-year-old family farm.
Fraser Key, the current owner and fourth generation farmer, became fascinated with Viticulture following a period of study in the early 80s at the Ecole de Viticulture de Dijon (now the Institut Universitaire de la Vigne et du Vin.)
The passion for innovation and his love of viticulture inspired Fraser and, in 2011, after years of research into suitable vines for the Lincolnshire soil and climate, Fraser took the plunge and planted Phoenix ,Villaris, Bolero and Regent vines, thus creating the Mayfield Vineyard.
‘Environmental sustainability and a positive net carbon emission means we take in (sequestrate ) more carbon to our soils than we emit during our whole process.
Our ethos is to have an overall positive effect on our environment and preserve and build our natural capital.
Unnatural interventions are avoided in the growing of our grapes and rhubarb and these are both hand picked and selected in field to ensure the highest quality pressings by our lovely team of volunteers.’
The first successful harvest was in 2017 and from June 2018 ‘the Owl Collection’ became a commercial reality.
Throughout his career, the environment and conservation have been at the heart of Fraser’s work. Much of his land is now dedicated to wild meadows to help encourage natural habitats and protect the native wildlife.
‘The Owl Collection’ was thus named in celebration of this conservation work, which has resulted in increasing numbers of a variety of native owls that are now often seen flying gracefully through the vineyard and the surrounding fields.
Having successfully grown rhubarb commercially for the past 20 years, Fraser’s drive for innovation and desire to produce something unique saw him hone his craft and create a Champagne-inspired sparkling wine with a contemporary twist. Rhubarb Fizz is a perfect quintessentially English alternative to Champagne.
The Home of Rhubarb Fizz
The perfect blend of finesse, concentration, and freshness. A fantastic expression of finest English fruit in perfect bubbles. A ‘Champenoise’-inspired sparkling wine with a contemporary twist.
The Owl Collection was thus named in celebration of the conservation work on the farm, that has encouraged families of owls to make it their home.
