Blanc de Blancs 2019
Guide price: £49
A vintage Sussex sparkling wine made entirely from Chardonnay grown on the Rathfinny estate.
2010
Alfriston
Blanc de BlancsBlanc de NoirsSparkling RoséSparkling WhiteStill WineTraditional MethodVintage
Mark and Sarah Driver founded Rathfinny in 2010, turning an arable farm near Alfriston into a wine estate. They planted the first vines in 2012 and released their first sparkling wines in 2018. Today, the estate specialises in vintage Sussex sparkling wines, with a range spanning Classic Cuvée, Rosé, Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs.
The South Downs setting is part of a visit here: walks through the vines, tastings at the Cellar Door and meals overlooking the vineyard. The restored Flint Barns offer a place to stay, making it possible to explore the estate over a weekend.
Rathfinny’s 93 hectares of vines occupy a south-facing slope in the South Downs, three miles from the English Channel. Chalk soils drain freely, while the coastal setting and a protective ridge shape the vineyard’s growing conditions.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier form the backbone of the sparkling wines, with smaller plantings of Pinot Gris for the Cradle Valley still range. The grapes are hand-picked and processed at the estate winery.
WINEMAKER
Tony Milanowski leads Rathfinny’s winemaking and production teams. Originally from Australia, he trained at the University of Adelaide and worked in the Riverland and at Katnook Estate in Coonawarra before moving to Europe. After winemaking in Abruzzo and 12 years teaching oenology at Plumpton College, he joined Rathfinny in 2019.
The estate’s approach centres on hand-picked fruit, whole-bunch pressing and low dosage. Its vintage sparkling wines undergo their second fermentation in bottle and mature on the lees, developing texture and savoury complexity alongside their fruit character.
The Collection
Guide price: £49
A vintage Sussex sparkling wine made entirely from Chardonnay grown on the Rathfinny estate.
Guide price: £55
A vintage Sussex sparkling wine with red-fruit aromas, pear and plum on the palate, and a ripe-cherry finish.
Guide price: £38
A dry vintage sparkling wine with red-apple and summer-fruit flavours, a rounded texture and hints of orange peel and spice. Try it with crab linguine.
A vintage Sussex sparkling wine with apple aromas, summer-fruit flavours and a long, fresh finish with plum and a saline edge. Rathfinny suggests charcuterie, roast duck or baked ham alongside it.
An estate-grown Sussex still white with pear, apple and citrus aromas, followed by peach and apricot flavours.
Guide price: £43
A vintage Sussex sparkling rosé, made in the traditional method from grapes grown on the Rathfinny estate.
Prices shown are the latest recorded by UKFizz and may change. Please check the seller’s current price before purchasing.
Cellar Door shop
Monday: 10:00–17:00
Tuesday: 10:00–17:00
Wednesday: 10:00–17:00
Thursday: 10:00–17:00
Friday: 10:00–17:00
Saturday: 10:00–17:00
Sunday: 10:00–17:00
The Hut
Monday: 10:00–16:00
Tuesday: 10:00–16:00
Wednesday: 10:00–16:00
Thursday: 10:00–16:00
Friday: 10:00–16:00
Saturday: 10:00–16:00
Sunday: 10:00–16:00
Guided tours and tastings
Monday: By appointment
Tuesday: By appointment
Wednesday: By appointment
Thursday: By appointment
Friday: By appointment
Saturday: By appointment
Sunday: By appointment
Flint Barns Dining Room
Wednesday: 18:00–20:00
Thursday: 18:00–20:00
Friday: 18:00–20:00
Saturday: 18:00–20:00
Sunday: 12:00–15:00
Book guided tours, dining and overnight stays in advance. Flint Barns autumn stays are offered Wednesday–Sunday, with check-in from 3pm and check-out by 11am. Rathfinny Cottage offers three-, four- or seven-night stays, with Monday or Friday arrivals from 3pm and check-out by 10am. The self-guided walking trail does not require a booking. Dogs are welcome in designated areas, including The Hut and the walking trail; restrictions apply to the Cellar Door and guided tours and tastings. Check the estate’s booking pages for seasonal availability.
BUY & DRINK
Verified restaurants, wine bars and merchants currently listing this producer.
VERIFIED STOCKIST • London
Caribbean-inspired dining above the City of London, with a wine list featuring Rathfinny’s Sussex still and sparkling wines.
VERIFIED STOCKIST • Fordwich
A riverside pub and restaurant near Canterbury, with seasonal dining and an extensive English wine selection, including Simpsons, Gusbourne and Rathfinny.
VERIFIED STOCKIST • London
Fine dining at The Ritz on Piccadilly, with Rathfinny Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs on the restaurant’s wine list.