Rathfinny Wine Estate is a magnificent, family-owned property established in 2010 by Mark and Sarah Driver. Located in East Sussex, this ambitious estate was built from the ground up on what was once an arable farm, with the first vines planted in 2012. Today, the estate vineyards span over ninety-three hectares of the majestic South Downs, sitting just three miles from the English Channel. Rathfinny is dedicated to absolute quality, using only 100% estate-grown fruit to craft their traditional-method English sparkling wine. Uniquely, every single bottle they release is produced and labelled as a distinct vintage wine, capturing the exact personality of a single growing season.
The brilliant character of the wine is shaped by a dramatic, south-facing slope that sits bathed in a semi-continental maritime climate. Here, the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier grapes benefit from warm sun balanced by crisp, cooling sea breezes. Beneath the vines lies free-draining chalk soil, providing the perfect natural drainage and mineral foundation to ripen grapes beautifully while keeping their vital, refreshing acidity. In the winery, the hand-harvested grapes are whole-bunch pressed and vinified with minimal intervention and a low dosage (added sugar), ensuring the absolute purest, cleanest expression of this stunning coastal terroir.
Stewardship of the land is central to everything Rathfinny does. The estate is deeply committed to environmental responsibility, working closely with Natural England to enhance wildlife habitats, reclaim natural chalk grasslands, and establish protected wildlife corridors right through the vineyards. This careful re-wilding has dramatically increased biodiversity, which naturally strengthens the health of the soils and the quality of the fruit. Even the winery buildings are constructed using locally sourced materials, including natural flint found directly in the vineyards. This meticulous attention to detail shines through in a range celebrated for its balance and elegance, proving exactly why Rathfinny has fast become one of the most respected names in British winemaking.