Knotfield Vines: Award-Winning Yorkshire Sparkling Wine from a Two-Acre Family Vineyard
Nestled into a south-westerly slope overlooking the Aire Valley in Rawdon, Leeds, Knotfield Vines is a two-acre, female-founded English vineyard that has, in only a few short years, become one of the most talked-about boutique sparkling-wine producers in Yorkshire. Established in 2022 by Sophie and Laura, the estate specialises in limited-edition, traditional-method English sparkling wine crafted from two cool-climate grape varieties: Seyval Blanc and Pinot Noir Précoce.
The vineyard's debut vintage under the name Rawdon - a nod to the ancient farming parish in which the vines are rooted - was released to immediate critical acclaim. The Rawdon Rosé 2022 was awarded a silver medal by Wine GB, the Rawdon Rosé 2023 earned another silver from Wine GB, and the Rawdon Classic 2023 was awarded gold at the International Women's Wine Trophy, where it was the only British wine to take top honours. Now formally trading as Knotfield, the producer continues to release small-batch, vintage-dated cuvées that reflect the mood of each growing season.
A vineyard rooted in nine centuries of Yorkshire history
Knotfield sits on land overlooking one of Yorkshire's oldest settled landscapes. Rawdon has been home to farming communities for at least 900 years, recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. Long before vines were planted there, the hillside was prized for its fertile soils, its natural shelter and its commanding position above the Aire Valley. Today the site is proudly nestled within a conservation area, and the team takes its responsibility as custodians of that landscape seriously.
Terroir: clay-loam, limestone and a frost-reducing river breeze
Situated at 53 degrees above the equator, the vines enjoy a gently sloping, south-westerly aspect that maximises sunlight during Yorkshire's long summer days. Sitting at 180 metres above sea level, and beneath what locals call the Rawdon billing, the vineyard benefits from elevation and protection from prevailing winds. The proximity to the River Aire allows cold air to drain away from the site, reducing frost risk - a perennial concern for English winegrowers.
The soils are predominantly clay loam enriched by Leeds' limestone belt, giving the vineyard excellent drainage alongside the nutrient retention needed to ripen cool-climate varieties. Knotfield is a minimal-intervention site, protective of its biodiversity: the wildflower margins, the beehives on site, and the resident family of deer, red kites and foxes that share the land with the vines.
From Yorkshire soil to English sparkling wine
Knotfield's wines are made from two grape varieties that thrive in Yorkshire's unique cool climate. Seyval Blanc forms the backbone of the blends, bringing vibrant natural acidity and crisp flavours of green apple, pear and citrus - the freshness that gives English sparkling wine its energy and longevity. Pinot Noir Précoce, an early-ripening relative of Pinot Noir, adds depth, texture and structure, alongside red-fruit appeal and a touch of subtle spice. The combination is balanced, refined and unmistakably characterful.
No two growing seasons are ever quite the same, and the Knotfield team celebrates those differences. Cooler years tend to produce wonderfully crisp, citrus-led wines with remarkable elegance and precision, while warmer summers encourage riper orchard fruit, softer berry flavours and greater richness. Every bottle tells the story of the season in which it was grown.
Traditional method, patient élevage
All Knotfield bottles rest on their lees for a minimum of eighteen months, and often considerably longer. During this slow élevage, the fresh fruit characters of the young wine become layered with notes of brioche, toasted nuts, baked apple and freshly baked bread. The texture becomes richer, the bubbles finer and creamier, and the finish longer and more elegant. Knotfield believes that great sparkling wine is the result of three things working in harmony: exceptional fruit, the character of each vintage, and the patience to allow time to work its magic.
The current release: Knotfield 2024 Rosés
The 2024 vintage - formally launched under the Knotfield name in June 2026 - is a sparkling Rosé duo, crafted using the same traditional method as previous vintages and produced in small batches. Both wines are available to pre-order directly from the vineyard, with local collection available by arrangement.
Knotfield Rosé Brut 2024 - £35.00
Delicately pale pink with a fine, persistent mousse, the Knotfield Rosé Brut 2024 opens with lifted aromas of tomato leaf and elderflower. The palate is crisp and refreshing, revealing layers of ripe cherry and freeze-dried raspberry, balanced by a subtle citrus lift. Light yet creamy in texture, this is a beautifully poised summer brut.
Knotfield Rosé Demi Sec 2024 - £38.00
The Knotfield Rosé Demi Sec 2024 is a lush, slightly sweeter style that balances crisp elderflower and citrus aromatics with a subtle red-berry structure. It features indulgent flavours of honeyed orchard fruit and baked apple, all held together by a refreshing, zesty acidity.
Sold-out classics from the cellar
Previous Knotfield releases - including the Classic Sparkling 2022, the 2022 and 2023 Rosés, and the Classic Sparkling 2023 - are currently sold out via the vineyard's online shop. Trade enquiries are welcomed for those looking to stock the wines at retail; the team is actively seeking Yorkshire and UK partners who share its values.
Vineyard tours and tastings by appointment
An invitation to experience Knotfield in person is the vineyard's signature experience. The Knotfield Vineyard Tour & Tasting Experience is a guided tour of the working vineyard, hosted by a member of the Knotfield team. Guests sip vintage sparkling, linger among the vines, and take in the stillness of the Yorkshire landscape.
To protect this environment, all tours are intimate and by appointment only. Directions, travel options and further details are provided in a welcome email in advance of the booked date. The experience is priced at £45.00 per person. Please note that, due to the small-batch production runs of each vintage, tastings are subject to stock levels at the time of the visit and certain vintages may not be available.
Visiting the vineyard
Sat-nav visitors should use postcode LS18 4FQ, which brings them to the very far corner of Horsforth Vale, where the end of Low Hall Road meets the bottom of Knott Lane. Knott Lane is a country track with a stream running along the right-hand side. Guests can walk (the vineyard's preference) or drive the 200 m up to the site. Knotfield Vines is accessible via the gravel drive and logo'd gate on the left, just after the Chapel House. Visitors are asked not to attempt to drive down Knott Lane from Harrogate Road: there is a permanent barrier halfway down and no access to the vineyard that way.
Gift vouchers and trade enquiries
For those looking for a flexible gift, Knotfield offers a Gift Voucher redeemable against the current range of wines, vineyard experiences and events. Vouchers are priced between £10.00 and £100.00 and are valid for 24 months from the date of purchase. As all Knotfield wines are produced in small batches, availability will vary throughout the year and vouchers can only be redeemed against wines, experiences and events that are available at the time of redemption.
For trade enquiries and suggested retail pricing, the team can be contacted directly at hello@knotfieldvines.com.
Events and what's on
Knotfield maintains an events calendar, with options to subscribe in Google Calendar, iCalendar, Outlook 365 or Outlook Live, or to export an .ics file. The calendar lists vineyard openings, seasonal tastings and special release days, and can be browsed in list, month or day view.
Get involved: volunteering at Knotfield
Knotfield's ambition is to become a source of local pride and to grow the community of wine enthusiasts already dotted around the Rawdon area and beyond. As such, the vineyard welcomes volunteers at various points across the vineyard calendar - whether it's bud rubbing, pruning or, importantly, harvest time. Updates and insights are posted on the @knotfieldvines Instagram account, or interested volunteers can simply drop the team an email to say hello. As the vineyard itself puts it: we're friendly - this is Yorkshire after all.
Press and accolades
Knotfield has drawn high praise from across the UK food and wine world. Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks - owner of The Black Swan at Oldstead and founder of Banks Brothers Wine - has described the team as having "no one more passionate about the quality and care of their produce" and called the wines "joy in a bottle." Wine educator Sophia Luckett has called Knotfield "one to watch" and "an asset to the English wine scene," praising the team as "pioneers of the exciting potential of Yorkshire wine." The vineyard has also been featured on page 105 of Great British Food magazine.
Plan your visit or order online
- Shop current releases: knotfieldvines.com/preorder
- Book a tour & tasting (£45): Check availability
- Events calendar: knotfieldvines.com/events
- Follow on Instagram: @knotfieldvines
- Email: hello@knotfieldvines.com
- Sat-nav postcode: LS18 4FQ (Low Hall Road / Knott Lane, Rawdon)
Knotfield Vines is a small, considered, climate-conscious English sparkling-wine project that proves world-class bottlings can come from a two-acre hillside in West Yorkshire. Whether you order a case of the new 2024 Rosés, walk the vineyard on a guided tasting, or simply follow the team's progress on Instagram, Knotfield is a Yorkshire wine story well worth raising a glass to.