Interview With Simon Fraser – Mountfield Winery

There is no denying that English Sparkling Wine is on the rise, becoming an undeniable contender to Traditional Method Sparkling around the world. To the English, it’s becoming a fan favourite and a go-to Glass of Bubbly, its quality is improving year on year and thanks to innovators and those willing to follow their dreams, the choice of English Sparkling Wine is expanding.

In this exclusive feature we speak with Simon Fraser, the incredible winemaker of Mountfield Winery, in England, let’s find out a little about his life in the English wine industry.

It’s Great To Speak With You, Simon, Can You Tell Us A Little About Yourself & How Your Journey Into The English Wine Industry Began?

“I worked in the City for many years whilst Lucinda, my wife, ran the estate and farm where we live. It has been in her family for 160 years or so, and is “in her bones” you might say. I wanted to retire from the City and start a business at home which would not take up too much space and over time realised that a vineyard was the answer.”

Do You Remember Your First Experience With Sparkling Wine? When It Was And What Kind Of Wine It Was?

“My first memory of drinking English Sparkling wine was trying all the local wines in 2011, before we planted ourselves, that were available – there were not that many on the market then. Herbert Hall stood out I remember.”

How Rewarding And Challenging Is Managing An English Vineyard?

“The fact is the UK is still a marginal climate for growing grapes. The weather and disease control are our main issues. Right now the horribly wet spring has meant we have really struggled to get in to the vineyard with machinery, so whilst the manual work is completed, pruning, tying down the vines and so on, we are desperately waiting for a dry spell for other tasks.”

When It Comes To Pairing Sparkling Wine With Food, Do You Have Any Favourite Combinations That You Would Personally Recommend?

“For our three wines, I would say that our Rose pairs really well with fish and shellfish, that our Blanc de blancs goes well with cheese, and our latest Classic Cuvee has a Burgundian feel to it and goes with pretty much everything.”

What Future Plans Can Enthusiasts Of Mountfield Winery Look Forward To In The Coming Years?

“For us, at Mountfield, we intend to carry on long ageing our wines – so we are currently selling our 2016 Blanc de blancs, our 2017 Classic Cuvee and our 2019 Rose, and because we blend in some reserve wine to our wines they tend to be quite rich and complex. The next release at some point will be magnums from 2015 – the Rose is already out there, but I think the Classic will be the next magnum to be released which will be very exciting. We are also going to do more events at the winery and estate to increase our direct sales.”

Can You Share With Us One Of The Most Memorable Experiences You’ve Enjoyed With A Glass of Bubbly?

“There is no question that the first time we tried our first vintage, from 2014, which I think we tasted in 2017, was extraordinary. The incredible moment realising that we had actually achieved the miracle that so many others have achieved before us, down the centuries, was fantastic.”

Thank you Simon, for sharing your story and experiences with us and we at Glass of Bubbly wish you the very best for the future!

Images belong to Simon Fraser. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use them.