{"title":"Rathfinny Wine Estate | East Sussex","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"A panoramic vista of the Rathfinny Wine Estate \u0026amp; Vineyards in East Sussex\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/Collection_Banner_88bbb32c-826f-4f62-9745-41c455459eac.jpg?v=1628779319\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe family-owned Rathfinny Wine Estate in East Sussex was established in 2010 by Mark and Sarah Driver, with the first vineyards being planted in April 2012. Rathfinny’s estate vineyards now extend to over 93 hectares in the South Downs, just three miles from the English Channel. Lying on a south-facing slope, the site is predominantly planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier and benefits from a semi-continental maritime climate and free-draining chalk soils, providing the ideal conditions to ripen grapes for sparkling wine. Rathfinny uses only estate grown fruit for their four traditional-method sparkling wines - Classic Cuvée, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs and Rosé and each of their wines is produced and labelled as a vintage wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed grapes are vinified with as little intervention as possible and a low dosage to preserve the purest expression of place and vintage. This preservation of character starts in the vineyard, says Sarah Driver. “We aim to be a sustainable wine producer. As a result, we take the stewardship of our land seriously. All our buildings are constructed using locally sourced materials, such as flint from the vineyards, and we have worked with Natural England and the South Downs National Park to implement a programme of improvements to enhance wildlife habitats and reclaim areas of natural chalk grassland, as well as creating wildlife corridors throughout the vineyard.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis ‘re-wilding’ of what was previously an arable farm ensures greater biodiversity. This focus on the environment, and to sustainability and the soil, ensures good quality fruit. Mark Driver adds that “sustainability is multi-layered, it’s everything we touch. It’s not just about the use of carbon or energy or chemicals. It’s about how we treat our soils, our use of water and all the inputs we have in the winemaking process, the whole environment.” This attention to detail shines through in the wines, which are beautifully made, elegant and balanced and shows why, in just a short period, Rathfinny Wine Estate has come to be recognised as one of England’s best producers of sparkling wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eRATHFINNY WINE ESTATE\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c!-- split --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rathfinnyestate.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"The official website of Rathfinny Wine Estate in East Sussex\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/desktop_icon_cd1f9a91-a06b-4665-880d-cc47c0dde6d7_480x480.jpg?v=1588261941\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/RathfinnyEstate\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Like Rathfinny Wine Estate on Facebook\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/facebook_icon_d3f13554-5a1f-49e3-a487-0da023dfd02d_480x480.jpg?v=1588261424\" alt=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/facebook_icon_d3f13554-5a1f-49e3-a487-0da023dfd02d_480x480.jpg?v=1588261424\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RathfinnyEstate\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Follow Rathfinny Wine Estate on Twitter\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/twitter_icon_34f9bd96-ace0-4f23-b0ee-0e0d2f8cc379_480x480.jpg?v=1588261424\" alt=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/twitter_icon_34f9bd96-ace0-4f23-b0ee-0e0d2f8cc379_480x480.jpg?v=1588261424\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/rathfinnyestate\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Follow Rathfinny Wine Estate on Instagram\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/instagram_icon_07bcf872-b0f0-428b-b788-b56bac71ff21_480x480.jpg?v=1588261424\" alt=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/instagram_icon_07bcf872-b0f0-428b-b788-b56bac71ff21_480x480.jpg?v=1588261424\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"rathfinny-wine-estate-blanc-de-blancs-vintage","title":"Rathfinny Wine Estate Blanc de Blancs 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Rathfinny Wine Estate Blanc de Blancs is a traditional-method sparkling wine made from 100% estate grown Chardonnay grapes. The estate vineyard is protected from the worst of the prevailing south westerly winds by a natural ridge that runs along the southern edge of the Estate. Sustainability and stewardship of the land are at the heart of Rathfinny’s philosophy. The team have worked closely with Natural England and the South Downs National Park, to implement a programme which enhances local wildlife habitats and reclaims areas of natural chalk grassland. Rathfinny’s focus on the environment, and commitment to sustainability and soil health, ensure excellent quality fruit. The grapes are all hand harvested, whole bunch pressed and vinified with as little intervention as possible. The base wine was fermented in stainless steel at 16°C, followed by malolactic fermentation. After bottling, the wine was aged for 36 months on lees to develop autolytic complexity and rich mouthfeel. Following disgorgement, the wine received a low dosage of 4g\/l to preserve the purest expression of vintage and place. Rathfinny’s Blanc de Blancs is pale lemon in colour with flecks of gold. The nose is characterised by aromas of lemon curd, pastry and citrus blossom. The palate displays fine balance with linear acidity and creamy mouthfeel. The finish is long with salty notes developing into richer aromas of roasted hazelnut and toast.[#intro]An elegant Blanc de Blancs English Fizz from the South Downs...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rathfinny Wine Estate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39486162796611,"sku":"A19RATHFINNYBDB-1","price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/products\/BdBBottle.jpg?v=1628787139"},{"product_id":"rathfinny-wine-estate-vintage-rose","title":"Rathfinny Wine Estate Rosé Brut 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Rathfinny Wine Estate Rosé Brut is a vintage sparkling wine made from a blend of traditional Champagne grapes - Pinot Noir (63%), Chardonnay (19%) and Pinot Meunier (18%). The estate vineyard is protected from the worst of the prevailing south westerly winds by a natural ridge that runs along the southern edge of the Estate. Sustainability and stewardship of the land are at the heart of Rathfinny’s philosophy. The team have worked closely with Natural England and the South Downs National Park, to implement a programme which enhances local wildlife habitats and reclaims areas of natural chalk grassland. Rathfinny’s focus on the environment, and commitment to sustainability and soil health, ensure excellent quality fruit. The base wine was fermented in stainless steel and a small proportion of Pinot Noir, aged for 6-8 months in 225l old French oak barrels, was blended for colour and aromatic complexity. After bottling, the wine was aged 24 months on lees. Following disgorgement, the wine received a low dosage of 4g\/l, to preserve the purest expression of vintage and place. Rathfinny’s vintage sparkling rosé has a vivid coral hue and a vibrant nose with aromas of cranberry, cherry blossom and red apple. The palate is lively with concentrated notes of pink grapefruit and brioche. Juicy acidity and silky texture punctuate the wine’s refreshing finish.[#products]champagne-drappier-rose-de-saignee-brut-nv,champagne-taittinger-prestige-rose-brut-nv-gift-boxed,louis-bouillot-cremant-de-bourgogne-perle-d-aurore-rose-brut-nv,digby-fine-english-leander-pink-sparkling-rose-wine,ca-del-bosco-cuvee-prestige-rose-franciacorta[\/products][#intro]World class English vintage sparkling rosé produced just 3 miles from the English channel...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rathfinny Wine Estate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39627364696131,"sku":"A19RATHFINNYROSE","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/products\/RoseBottle_8dc2d037-d692-439b-81af-424f2ab02129.jpg?v=1635676313"},{"product_id":"rathfinny-wine-estate-blanc-de-noirs","title":"Rathfinny Wine Estate Blanc de Noirs 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Rathfinny Wine Estate Blanc de Noirs 2020 is a phenomenal showcase of the South Downs, driven by the uncompromising vision of estate co-founder Sarah Driver. Once an arable farm, Rathfinny has been meticulously transformed into a world-class, B-Corp certified estate. The Blanc de Noirs is their flagship cuvée, crafted from grapes grown on a south-facing chalk slope just three miles from the sea. By focusing exclusively on the finest hand-harvested fruit, this release firmly positions \u003cstrong\u003eEnglish sparkling wine \u003c\/strong\u003eas a formidable rival to the greatest houses in Champagne. Pouring a striking rose-gold hue, this Blanc de Noirs is built primarily around a powerful core of Pinot Noir, beautifully supported by Pinot Meunier. It leaps from the glass with an evocative perfume of crushed wild cherry, baked red apple, and delicate honeyed pastry. On the palate, the fruit is incredibly generous, offering ripe yellow plum and pristine red berries, but it is seamlessly counterbalanced by a razor-sharp, saline acidity that speaks directly to the coastal chalk terroir. Aged for a minimum of 36 months on its lees, the wine develops a phenomenal, creamy autolytic texture, adding complex notes of toasted hazelnut and brioche. Finished with a deliberately low dosage it remains exceptionally taut, dry, and focused. [#intro]This opulent, low-dosage Sussex sparkling wine is a masterclass in elegant, terroir-driven English Pinot Noir...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rathfinny Wine Estate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57910216655229,"sku":"A20RATHFINNYBDN","price":48.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/BDNBT.jpg?v=1772971086"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/collections\/Collection_Image_303e443c-4f10-4d86-a8a2-0e6a271d0e76.jpg?v=1628781064","url":"https:\/\/hic.wine\/collections\/rathfinny-wine-estate-east-sussex.oembed","provider":"Hic!","version":"1.0","type":"link"}