Richard Balfour-Lynn is best known to the City as a property mogul. He runs Marylebone Warwick Balfour, the quoted hotels-to-Liberty store group owner, which takes in the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin chains.

He could soon be just as well known for his Kent farm produce. Five years ago the Londoner bought the 400 acres of farmland around his country bolt-hole to ensure that no one else could build around his aptly named Hush Heath house. “From a position of going to my country home and putting my feet up, I became an instant farmer and actually knew nothing about the subject,” Mr Balfour-Lynn, 53, said.

He has learnt a lot since. He has just struck a distribution deal with fine wines distributor Bibendum for his first vintage of Balfour Brut Rosé — 9,217 bottles of pink bubbly from a 2004 harvest to be precise — which will sell just under £30 a bottle to hotels beyond the MWB portfolio.

The grape harvest from 2005 should produce about 15,000 bottles, while last year’s crop should yield 22,000.

Mr Balfour-Lynn also has kept an eye on his property investment, reckoning that land his way is selling “for £3,500 per acre to £4,000 per acre if it is pasture”, compared with prices of about £2,500 per acre when he bought. The vineyard cost another £10,000 to lay.

He is convinced that a tide of City types are coming his way. “City bonuses has meant a number are retiring early with cash and want a different lifestyle.” Retirement is not on Mr Balfour-Lynn’s agenda.

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