Rathfinny Wine Estate
rath-FIN-ee
England's most ambitious single-site sparkling wine estate, set on chalk soils in the South Downs just three miles from the sea.
Rathfinny Wine Estate is a 600-acre Sussex property planted across 200+ acres of chalk downland near Alfriston, East Sussex. Founded by Mark and Sarah Driver in 2010, with first vines planted in 2012, it produces four traditional-method vintage sparkling wines under the Sussex PDO.
- Founded 2010 by Mark and Sarah Driver; first vines planted April 2012
- 93 hectares (200+ acres) planted on a south-facing chalk slope in the South Downs National Park
- Produces Classic Cuvée, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, and Rosé, all traditional method and vintage-dated
- World's first grower-producer of sparkling wine to achieve B Corp certification (2023)
- On course to become England's largest single-site wine estate
- Grapes are hand-harvested with whole-bunch pressing; winery is solar-powered with water-recycling systems
- RIBA-nominated winery building; estate includes Michelin-recommended restaurant and luxury accommodation
Location and Setting
Rathfinny sits near Alfriston in East Sussex, within the South Downs National Park, just three miles from the English Channel. The estate occupies a south-facing slope protected from prevailing south-westerly winds by a natural ridge. This sheltered aspect, combined with a semi-continental maritime climate moderated by proximity to the sea, creates growing conditions well-suited to cool-climate sparkling wine varieties.
- South-facing slope in the South Downs National Park, East Sussex
- Three miles from the English Channel; semi-continental maritime climate
- Natural ridge provides shelter from prevailing south-westerly winds
- 600-acre estate with over 200 acres under vine
Soils and Terroir
The estate is underlain by chalk, with a clay loam topsoil that transitions to free-draining chalk below. Chalk soils are highly valued in English sparkling wine production for their capacity to retain moisture during dry summers while keeping vine roots from waterlogging. This mirrors the geology of Champagne, where chalk plays an equally central role in vine health and wine character.
- Clay loam over chalk subsoil, free-draining throughout
- Chalk retains water for vines during dry summers
- Geology comparable to that of the Champagne region
- South Downs chalk is the defining terroir feature of Sussex PDO
Grapes and Wines
Rathfinny grows Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris. All wines are made using the traditional method and are vintage-dated, reflecting a commitment to expressing a single year's growing conditions rather than blending across harvests. The four wines produced are a Classic Cuvée, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, and Rosé. Grapes are hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed, a low-intervention approach designed to preserve freshness and site character.
- Five varieties grown: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris
- All four wines are traditional method and vintage-dated
- Hand-harvested with whole-bunch pressing
- Low-intervention winemaking philosophy throughout
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Open Wine Lookup →Sustainability and Recognition
In 2023, Rathfinny became the world's first grower-producer of sparkling wine to achieve B Corp certification, a standard that measures environmental and social performance across business operations. The winery is solar-powered and operates water-recycling systems. The estate's winery building received a RIBA nomination for architecture, and the on-site Tasting Room restaurant holds a Michelin recommendation. Rathfinny is classified under the Sussex PDO, England's first regional Protected Designation of Origin for wine.
- World's first sparkling wine grower-producer with B Corp certification (2023)
- Solar-powered winery with water-recycling infrastructure
- RIBA-nominated winery building
- Michelin-recommended Tasting Room restaurant on site
Rathfinny's traditional-method sparkling wines are vintage-dated and reflect the cool maritime climate of East Sussex. Expect high natural acidity, fine persistent bubbles, and flavours shaped by chalk soils: citrus, green apple, and brioche in the Classic Cuvée and Blanc de Blancs; red fruit, strawberry, and cream in the Blanc de Noirs and Rosé.
- Rathfinny Estate Classic Cuvée$35-45Flagship blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier; vintage-dated traditional method from Sussex chalk.Find →
- Rathfinny Estate Blanc de Blancs$40-50100% Chardonnay from chalk downland; showcases the citrus and mineral character of the Sussex terroir.Find →
- Rathfinny Estate Blanc de Noirs$40-50White sparkling from black grapes; demonstrates the estate's skill with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.Find →
- Rathfinny Estate Rosé$50-60Vintage-dated traditional method Rosé; red fruit and cream character from South Downs chalk soils.Find →
- Rathfinny is classified under Sussex PDO, England's first regional PDO for sparkling wine
- Estate established 2010; first vines planted April 2012; on course to be England's largest single-site wine estate
- All wines are traditional method and vintage-dated; no non-vintage blending
- Achieved B Corp certification in 2023, the first sparkling wine grower-producer in the world to do so
- Soils are clay loam over free-draining chalk, mirroring the geology of Champagne