Rathfinny Blanc de Blancs

Rathfinny Wine Estate sits in Alfriston, East Sussex, on a south-facing slope within the South Downs National Park. The estate covers 93 hectares and lies just three miles from the English Channel and seven miles from the iconic Seven Sisters Cliffs. This coastal proximity, combined with the semi-continental maritime climate described as warm and sunny, creates growing conditions well suited to producing high-quality sparkling wine base wines.

• 93 hectares in Alfriston, East Sussex
• South-facing slope within South Downs National Park
• Three miles from the English Channel
• Semi-continental maritime climate, warm and sunny

The estate sits over chalk soils and clay loam soils, a combination that draws immediate comparisons with the great sparkling wine regions of northern France. The chalk provides excellent drainage and a mineral backbone to the wines, while the clay loam contributes structure and richness. This geological foundation, paired with the cool maritime influence, is central to the character of the Blanc de Blancs.

• Chalk soils underpin the estate's vineyards
• Clay loam soils also present across the site
• Chalk provides drainage and mineral character
• Geology comparable to classic sparkling wine regions

Rathfinny Blanc de Blancs is made exclusively from Chardonnay using the traditional method. Grapes are hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed, preserving freshness and delicacy. The wine is aged on lees for a minimum of 36 months, well above the legal minimum for many sparkling wine categories, which builds complexity and texture. Low dosage is used at disgorgement to keep the focus on the purity and precision of the fruit. The estate operates as a single-site grower-producer, meaning all grapes come from within the estate itself.

• Traditional method production with 100% Chardonnay
• Hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed grapes
• Minimum 36 months on lees before release
• Low dosage to prioritize fruit purity

Rathfinny Blanc de Blancs has earned significant recognition on the international stage. The 2018 vintage won a Gold Medal at the International Wine Challenge in 2023. The 2017 vintage went further, taking both the Critics' Choice Award and a Gold Medal at the 2025 Sommelier Wine Awards. These results confirm Rathfinny's standing as one of England's most acclaimed sparkling wine producers.

• 2018 vintage: Gold Medal, International Wine Challenge 2023
• 2017 vintage: Critics' Choice Award and Gold Medal, Sommelier Wine Awards 2025
• Consistent recognition across multiple international competitions
• One of England's benchmark single-estate sparkling wines

Mark and Sarah Driver founded Rathfinny Wine Estate in 2010, planting the first vines in April 2012. The estate produced its first wine under the Sussex PDO scheme, which was approved in 2016, making it one of the pioneering producers of this regional designation. Rathfinny holds B Corp certification, reflecting a broad commitment to environmental and social responsibility across estate operations.

• Founded 2010 by Mark and Sarah Driver
• First vines planted April 2012
• Sussex PDO scheme approved 2016
• B Corp certified for sustainability practices