Mallard Point Vineyard

Mallard Point Vineyard & Distillery: A Family-Run Single Estate in the Heart of Rutland

Nestled in the rolling countryside of Essendine, Rutland - England's smallest historic county - Mallard Point is a family-run single estate vineyard and distillery that pairs meticulous, low-intervention winemaking with a sustainability-first philosophy. Planted from 2019 and now home to more than 18,500 cool-climate vines, the estate makes regional, terroir-specific wines that are intentionally aligned with the premium spirits from its on-site distillery. From field to glass, the team keeps every step of production in-house, producing some of the most distinctive small-batch wines and gins coming out of the East Midlands today.

The Story: From Australian Vineyards to a Rutland Farm

The dream of starting a vineyard and distillery has been a long-running conversation between Andy and Fi ever since they toured Australian vineyards together in their early twenties. When they returned home, life took them in a different direction: long hours, lots of travelling and careers in the events industry, building other people's dreams rather than their own.

That began to change in 2012, when they bought Church Farm - a property with the soil, the aspect and, crucially, the potential to become a vineyard. After multiple soil tests, site evaluations and the arrival of a daughter, the dream started to take shape. In April 2019, Mallard Point was officially conceived: the first vines went into the ground, work began on the in-house winery and distillery, and the couple set about designing bottles, packaging, gins and the mountain of paperwork that any new drinks business demands, all while raising a young family and running their events business.

Three years of patient vineyard husbandry followed, and in 2022, described by the team as a record-breaking year for English wine, Mallard Point Vineyard and Distillery was launched with a range of gins and two successful vintages. Further plantings followed in 2022, 2023 and again in 2025, expanding both the varietal mix and the volume of fruit the estate can work with. As the team puts it: it has been a long journey of nearly twenty years, but this is only the start of the adventure.

The Name and the Locomotive

The estate is forever linked with the Mallard steam locomotive, the LNER A4 class engine that rocketed to 126 mph in 1938, a steam speed record never surpassed. Just as Mallard was an aerodynamic masterpiece of its era, the vineyard aims to marry power and elegance in its own small corner of Rutland.

The Vineyard: 18,500 Cool-Climate Vines

Mallard Point is, in every meaningful sense, a single-estate, field-to-bottle operation. Andy is the estate's vigneron and winemaker. He does not come from a winemaking dynasty, but brings an agricultural background and a passion for wine and vinology that traces back to those early Australian trips. The family tends the vines throughout the year, and all fruit is hand-picked and taken straight to the on-site winery.

The current vineyard is planted with a thoughtful mix of cool-climate varieties suited to the Rutland site:

Bacchus - the signature aromatic white, central to the estate's identity.
Chardonnay - the backbone of the Branchline still and the base for the Barrel Aged Gin.
Pinot Meunier - used for the estate's pink Pet-Nat.
Pinot Noir - a key red variety, also infused into the signature gin.
Sauvignac - a modern PIWI hybrid recently added to the plantings.
Cabernet Jura - another PIWI variety, one of the first commercial plantings in the UK, now the source of the Crossing Lines red.

The introduction of PIWI (fungus-resistant) varieties is deliberate: it allows the team to dramatically reduce spraying for mildew and botrytis, supporting the estate's broader sustainability goals.

Vineyard Husbandry

Pressing and fermenting take place on site using wild yeast cultured in the vineyard prior to harvest. The team's focus is on creating expressive, fruit-driven wines through minimal intervention, letting the grapes do the talking. Mechanical weeding has replaced herbicides, cover crops of mixed vetches, legumes and clovers enrich the soils, and insecticides are not used.

During winter and early spring, after the vines have shed their leaves and returned to dormancy, sheep take over the vineyard. They delicately nibble around the vines, fertilise the soil, and leave the rows tidy and nourished for the next growing season, far less invasive than a tractor. The grape waste from the winery, meanwhile, is fed to the estate's Hereford cattle, whose manure completes the nutrient cycle. Distillery by-products are composted and returned to the vineyard and garden.

The Distillery: Cutting-Edge, Low-Energy Spirits

Fi, the estate's owner and distiller, is self-taught rather than credentialed from a formal distilling degree, but she grew up touring Speyside distilleries as a child and brings the instincts of a farmer's daughter to ingredient selection. When she is not being a mum, she runs the distillery, which features cutting-edge technology that uses up to 75% less energy than a traditional copper still. That automation also delivers complete control over the production process, so recipes can be reproduced faithfully time after time.

The distillery draws inspiration directly from the flavour profiles of the estate's still and sparkling wines. All spirits are blended with natural mineral water from the aquifer beneath the distillery, and production runs in small batches with minimal intervention, the same philosophy that drives the winery.

Sustainability: Reuse Rather Than Recycle

Sustainability is not a marketing line at Mallard Point; it is the operating principle. The team describes an ideology of reuse rather than recycle, expressed across every part of the business.

The Reusable Aluminium Bottle

Mallard Point is, by its own claim, the first drinks producer to use reusable aluminium bottles for both wine and spirits. The custom bottle is designed to be returned, cleaned and reused, unlike single-use glass. Aluminium is lightweight, durable and chills quickly, which keeps sparkling wines cooler for longer. The reusable swing-top closure keeps the fizz in and still produces that satisfying 'pop' when opened.

The accompanying box is made from recycled materials and is itself designed to be reused. The process is simple:

Enjoy your Mallard Point wine or spirits, and keep the cardboard sleeve.
Reverse the sleeve, repack the empty bottle and drop it at your local Post Office, with postage prepaid.
Receive a gift card (£1.50 for wine, £3 for spirits) as a thank you.
Mallard Point cleans, reuses and refills the bottle for the next customer.

If you lose the box, the team will send a replacement on request.

Wildlife and Water

Wildflower strips at the top and bottom of the vineyard hum with pollinators in summer. Hares, pheasants and English partridge have made homes on the farm, and migrating swallows and bats swoop along the willow-lined river bank by day and night. Water, drawn from an on-site borehole, is used for everything from distilling to drinking, with rainwater also collected for vineyard spraying and for the cattle.

The Wines

The Mallard Point wine range is small, focused and evolving. Each release is hand-picked, wild-yeast fermented, and bottled with minimal intervention. Most bottles are presented in the estate's signature reusable aluminium bottle.

Still Whites

Bacchus Wine 2025 ('Pack Horse Bridge') - 75cl, 11% ABV, £21.00. A new release made from 90% Bacchus and 10% Sauvignac, wild-yeast fermented, unfined and unfiltered, with 100% malolactic fermentation. Aromas of elderflower and pear drops with a touch of hedgerow, finishing long and sweet.
Branchline Chardonnay 25 - 75cl, 12.5% ABV, £25.00. A pure, single-estate expression of Chardonnay: hand-picked, wild-yeast fermented, unoaked and bottled without filtration or fining. Pale hay in colour with delicate white-peach and melon aromas; dry, flinty and creamy on the palate. Awarded 16/20 by Jancis Robinson.

Rosé and Red

Rutland Rose Wine 2025 - 75cl, 12% ABV, £22.00. A new release made equally from hand-picked Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, wild-yeast fermented, unfined and unfiltered. Coral pink with fragrant rose-petal aromas, English country-garden hints, and bright strawberry, raspberry and cranberry layered over red-apple skin notes.
Crossing Lines Cabernet Jura Wine 2025 - 75cl, 12.0% ABV, £25.00. The estate's first single-estate red, made from 100% hand-picked Cabernet Jura grown at 52° north. Garnet in colour with ripe blackcurrants, wild berries, spices and cracked black pepper on the nose; a velvety tannin structure with bright acidity on the finish. Silver medal and 90 points at the Wine GB 2026 Awards.

Sparkling and Limited Editions

Pink Pet Nat 24 (Cuvée Iz) - 75cl, 12.5% ABV, £25.00. A wild, fizzy 100% Pinot Meunier Pet-Nat with rustic bubbles, brilliant natural acidity and flavours of red apple, crushed raspberries, pink grapefruit and white flowers. No added sulphur, unfined and unfiltered, with natural sediment. Featured in Jancis Robinson's October 2025 'Wine Discoveries'.
Can Be 2024 (Limited Edition) - 75cl, 11.5% ABV, £25.00. A delicate rosé with a light pink hue and silky texture. Aromas of white pepper, cinnamon and clove unfold over a core of summer fruits; barrel ageing adds subtle notes of Sherry and Armagnac.

Wines and spirits can also be purchased online.

The Spirits and Gins

Distilling at Mallard Point is unapologetically tied to the vineyard: many of the gins and the vodka are made using grapes or grape skins, giving them a singular identity within an otherwise crowded UK gin market.

London Dry Gin - 70cl, 40% ABV, £42.00. The signature gin, inspired by English sparkling wine and warm summer days. Strong juniper base with citrus notes, the floral elegance of jasmine and honeysuckle, blended with apple and peach and finished with a hint of spice. Juniper is steeped in alcohol for over 12 hours before distillation.
Pinot Noir Gin - 70cl, 42% ABV, £44.00. The London Dry steeped on pressed Pinot Noir grapes from the current vintage, rich and smooth with notes of cherry and raspberry, a light floral aroma and an intense spice finish. A natural, no-additives gin that may change colour over time.
English Rose Gin - 70cl, 40% ABV, £42.00. Blended with pomegranate for a delicate pink blush. Fresh juniper and floral orange blossom create a smooth gin with a sweet finish. Delicate floral botanicals are suspended during distillation so they gently infuse the spirit.
The Traveller Bacchus Gin - 70cl, 40% ABV, £42.00. A limited-edition release distilled with upcycled Bacchus grape skins after pressing, inspired by the owners' travels and the flavour profile of the Bacchus wine. Elderflower, fresh lime and a warming ginger finish.
Hot Shot Barrel Aged Gin - 50cl, 38% ABV, £35.00. A new-release gin made from grape spirit, distilled with botanicals and aged in Chardonnay wine barrels. Smooth, with notes of vanilla, caramelised orange and smoked almonds.
Last Call Chardonnay Grape Skin Vodka - 70cl, 40% ABV, £40.00. A new-release zero-waste vodka made from the waste grape skins left after pressing for Chardonnay. Smooth and crisp with fresh cut grass and pepper on the nose; fragrant vanilla and a crisp citrus twist on the palate, finishing long.

All spirits are sold in the estate's reusable aluminium bottles and are eligible for the bottle-return scheme.

Gifts and Accessories

Alongside the wines and spirits, Mallard Point offers a small but well-curated range of gifts and accessories:

Mallard Point Gift Card - £10.00. For when there is too much choice. Any remaining balance is available for future purchases.
Mallard Point Tumbler - £10.00. The branded tumbler for enjoying the spirits at home.
Black Hip Flask (17cl) - £12.00. A pocket-sized branded hip flask.

Gifts can be bundled with wines and spirits as a gift set, and ordered alongside bottles through the online shop.

Tours and Tasting Experiences

Visitor experiences at Mallard Point are designed to be relaxed, informative and rooted in the estate's working reality. Tours run every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from March through to September, and finish with a tutored tasting of the handcrafted wines.

Vineyard & Winery Tour - £30.00

Led by Andy himself, the tour begins with a walk through the vineyard to see the different varieties up close and discuss viticulture and the estate's grape-growing practices. You then move into the winery to be immersed in the winemaking process, with the chance to sample wines from tank or bottle (depending on the time of year). Tours involve walking outside, so dress for wet ground and cool temperatures. Book the Vineyard & Winery Tour.

Gin School Experience - £100.00

The signature hands-on experience. On arrival you are handed a gin and tonic, then taken on a sensory tour of botanicals, walked through the distillation process, the innovative low-energy equipment, and the techniques aligned to winemaking production. You then receive advice and guidance on recipe development before producing a full-size 70cl bottle of bespoke gin on your own individual still, using botanicals from the apothecary. Your recipe is written on the label and stored for the future. Book the Gin School Experience.

Optional Cheese and Charcuterie Boxes

Both experiences can be enhanced with a local cheese and charcuterie box, added during checkout. Options include a Cheese Box (two British cheeses), a Cheese & Charcuterie Box (two cheeses plus one charcuterie), a Mini Box (for one or two as a light appetiser) and a Vegan Cheese option on request. Platters can be enjoyed seated inside or taken into a quiet spot in the vineyard. Please note that common allergens may include celery, gluten, milk, nuts, sesame, soy and sulphites, and specific allergy requests cannot be accommodated.

Private Events

Mallard Point offers an exquisite vineyard setting for both weddings and corporate gatherings, backed by a team with over two decades of events experience. Couples enjoy exclusive use of the vineyard for the day, with sailcloth marquees, candlelit celebrations among the vines, and a flexible, personalised approach for intimate or large gatherings. For corporate guests, packages combine guided vineyard tours, wine and spirit tastings and optional add-ons such as founder talks, local artisan food pairings and team activities among the vines. Both small and large groups can be accommodated. Private event enquiries can be sent to hello@mallardpoint.co.uk or via the Private Events enquiry form.

Upcoming Events at the Estate

Mallard Point hosts a small calendar of pop-up food and drink events at the vineyard during the open season. Confirmed upcoming events include:

Tacos from El Ajolote - Saturday 8 August 2026, 2pm to 7pm. Wine and authentic tacos from El Ajolote at the vineyard, with optional local cheese and charcuterie boxes available to add at checkout.

Visiting Mallard Point

Mallard Point is open to visitors Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 4pm, and on Saturdays from 10am to 12 noon. The estate is located at Church Farm, Bourne Road, Essendine, Stamford, PE9 4LH, about four miles from Stamford and easily reached from across Rutland, Lincolnshire and the surrounding East Midlands. The what3words references are recent.midwinter.teardrop for the vineyard and convert.funny.ringside for the winery, distillery, tours and shop.

Delivery and Shipping

For those who cannot visit in person, orders are shipped by Royal Mail. UK Mainland standard delivery is £5.95 per bottle (2 - 3 working days), with a next-working-day option at £7.95 per bottle for orders placed before 12pm. Self-collection from the estate is also available by arrangement via hello@mallardpoint.co.uk. Delivery charges exclude the Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Scilly Isles and Channel Islands.

Stay in Touch

The winery is active on Facebook and Instagram, sharing harvest updates, new-release announcements and event news. New subscribers to the mailing list receive 10% off their first order.

Drink responsibly. drinkaware.co.uk.