Rathfinny Wine Estate was founded in 2010 by Mark and Sarah Driver, who planted the first vineyards in April 2012. This family-owned estate now comprises over 93 hectares of vines in the South Downs, just three miles from the Channel. Their vineyards are predominantly planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier on a south-facing slope. Combined with a semi-continental maritime climate and free-draining chalk soils, this unique site offers 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, each produced and labelled as a vintage wine.

Rathfinny's hand-harvested and whole-bunch-pressed grapes are vinified with minimal intervention and low dosage, preserving the purest expression of place and vintage. This preservation of character starts in the vineyard.

Sarah Driver explains, “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.”

This ‘re-wilding' of what was previously an arable farm ensures greater biodiversity in their vineyards. Focusing on the environment, sustainability and soil also ensures excellent 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.

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. The site benefits from a semi-continental maritime climate and free-draining chalk soils, providing the ideal conditions to ripen grapes. 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 to improve local biodiversity. Their focus on the environment, and commitment to sustainability and soil health, ensure excellent quality fruit.

The grapes were hand harvested and fermented in stainless steel tanks at 16°C, followed by malolactic fermentation for creamier mouthfeel. After bottling, the wine was aged for 36 months on lees to develop rich autolytic complexity. Following disgorgement, the wine received a low dosage of 3.5g/l to preserve the purest expression of vintage and place.

This fruit-driven wine would match perfectly with a plate of charcuterie, Asian-style crab cakes or venison. This is a wine that can withstand and complement spice and richer flavoured dishes.

“…This is a glorious wine that sits alongside any overseas creations. It is plush, silky, layered and effortlessly classy while maintaining a freshness and crunch on the finish” - Matthew Jukes, Vineyard Magazine