Rathfinny Estate

Rathfinny Estate The Rathfinny Wine Estate in Sussex is dedicated to producing world-class sparkling wines.

For some of the vines on the Estate, harvest comes early.We have a special clone of Pinot Noir known as Précoce, meaning...
07/09/2026

For some of the vines on the Estate, harvest comes early.

We have a special clone of Pinot Noir known as Précoce, meaning "precocious" in French. True to its name, it develops flavour and sweetness earlier than other Pinot Noir clones, making it one of the first grapes ready to pick each year.

Those early-ripening grapes form the backbone of the fruit used for our red w**es, most of which is blended into making our Rosé Brut sparkling w**e. You'll also find Précoce in our still Cradle Valley red w**e.

Interested in visiting the Estate and learning more? Join us for a special harvest tour & tasting: https://bit.ly/3TF9fI0

This International Charity Day, we're celebrating causes close to our hearts.Each year, Rathfinny staff nominate chariti...
05/09/2026

This International Charity Day, we're celebrating causes close to our hearts.

Each year, Rathfinny staff nominate charities they'd like to support, helping us direct our fundraising efforts towards causes that matter to our team and our local community.

In 2026, we're proud to support two Sussex-based animal welfare charities: East Sussex WRAS and Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare.

Members of the Estate team occasionally come across animals in distress and know first-hand the vital work East Sussex WRAS does to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife.

Raystede is something of an East Sussex institution. Many of our team have visited the centre over the years, and some have even welcomed rehomed pets into their families.

This year, we're also partnering with Prept. Foundation as a sponsor of its Chef Collaboration Dinner series, helping raise funds to inspire young people to live happier and healthier lives through food education in Sussex and beyond.

With a wider reach, Rathfinny has also chosen to support the Felix Project, which is fighting food waste & hunger across the UK.

The annual Rathfinny Run also continues each May, raising money for local causes and bringing people together in support of our community.

Caring for people is one of our key sustainability pillars. As a B Corp, supporting charities that strengthen communities, protect wildlife and improve wellbeing is one way we bring that commitment to life.

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That's a wrap! Over the past few weekends, Rathfinny has hosted a very special collaboration.One of London's finest rest...
05/09/2026

That's a wrap! Over the past few weekends, Rathfinny has hosted a very special collaboration.

One of London's finest restaurant groups, The Evolv Collection, joined us on the Estate for a culinary takeover that brought together outstanding food, award-winning Sussex Sparkling w**es and sweeping South Downs views.

Meanwhile, outside the Cellar Door, food truck Bluebird by the Sea made itself at home amongst the vines, serving freshly prepared summer favourites and adding a touch of the King's Road to the Sussex countryside.

Most importantly, it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying long afternoons and golden summer evenings on the Estate with friends and family!

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to the teams at The Evolv Collection, Bluebird Chelsea and Orrery by Pierre Minotti for helping make it such a memorable occasion.

Did you join us for the takeover? We'd love to know what your highlight was!

Spotted: Queen of Spain FritillaryA special visitor arrived on the Estate over the weekend.This beautiful butterfly is a...
01/09/2026

Spotted: Queen of Spain Fritillary

A special visitor arrived on the Estate over the weekend.

This beautiful butterfly is a male Queen of Spain Fritillary, a rare migrant species that occasionally reaches Britain from continental Europe. Seeing one in Sussex is always a memorable sight.

The warm weather and favourable winds can sometimes bring these remarkable travellers across the Channel, and this individual paused long enough in the vineyard for a photograph before continuing its journey.

Moments like these are a reminder that the South Downs form part of a much larger natural landscape, connected to wildlife movements far beyond our shores.

Thanks to Bob Eade, a Sussex bug expert who continues to carry out insect surveys of the Estate and took this photo.

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South Downs National Park | Sussex Wildlife Trust | Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust

The final bank holiday of the summer has arrived.Soon, harvest will be on the horizon, and the first colours of autumn w...
28/08/2026

The final bank holiday of the summer has arrived.

Soon, harvest will be on the horizon, and the first colours of autumn will begin to settle across the South Downs.

For now, there's still time to enjoy a long weekend on the Estate.

Join us for:

→ Bluebird by the Sea Food Truck (Sat): https://bit.ly/4wdKeDW
→ Vineyard Picnics (Sun): https://bit.ly/4ssheX3
→ Dinner in The Flint Barns (Sat & Sun): https://bit.ly/3QeJLCq
→ Tours & Tastings (Sat, Sun & Mon): https://bit.ly/3TF9fI0

Whether you're visiting for a leisurely lunch, a glass of Sussex Sparkling, or a walk among the vines, we'd love to welcome you.

A food truck by the vines; views across the South Downs; a glass of Sussex Sparkling in hand.This Saturday will be your ...
27/08/2026

A food truck by the vines; views across the South Downs; a glass of Sussex Sparkling in hand.

This Saturday will be your final chance to enjoy Bluebird by the Sea at Rathfinny before the pop-up takes its leave from the Estate for the season.

Set up by The Hut, the London food truck is bringing a taste of the King's Road to the South Downs, with freshly prepared summer favourites.

Child-friendly and dogs welcome!

Find out more: https://bit.ly/4wdKeDW

The falcons have returned!You can tell harvest is approaching at Rathfinny when you see the birds of prey soaring above ...
26/08/2026

The falcons have returned!

You can tell harvest is approaching at Rathfinny when you see the birds of prey soaring above the vineyard.

Over the coming weeks, a specialist falconry team will once again patrol the skies from dawn to dusk, helping to protect our grapes as they reach the final stage of ripening from unwanted pigeons, crows and gulls.

As a certified B Corp, we're always looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact. The falconry programme replaces traditional defences, helping to eliminate the need for more than 300km of plastic netting.

Instead, the falcons, hawks and the eagle provide a natural deterrent, encouraging birds to find food elsewhere.

Visit the Estate over Septembeer, and you might spot them. Find out more: https://bit.ly/45SkVMt

20/08/2026

W**emaking from grape to glass in Sussex.

It’s been a team effort at the Estate across this long, warm Summer.

Discover the origin of Sussex Sparkling for yourself.
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**e **eEstate

After the driest period in the Estate's history, the rain finally arrived.Last night, 36mm fell across the Estate. The l...
20/08/2026

After the driest period in the Estate's history, the rain finally arrived.

Last night, 36mm fell across the Estate. The last meaningful rainfall was back in the first week of June, when we received just 16mm.

Across Sussex, many farmers and growers have been watching the skies over recent weeks.

Fortunately, grapes ripen later in the season, and this rainfall has arrived at just the right moment for the vineyard.

The vines were already coping remarkably well thanks to the water held deep within the chalk beneath the South Downs. This rain now gives them an extra boost, helping the berries continue to ripen and encouraging sugars to move through the vine into the fruit.

Just as importantly, the rain has reactivated the vine's surface roots, restoring a more natural supply of water alongside the moisture held deep within the chalk.

The rain is not just good news for the vines. After weeks of dry weather, it will be a welcome relief for the wildflowers, insects, birds and other wildlife that share the Estate with us.

After such a dry summer, it is certainly better to have this rainfall now than when the first grapes arrive at the w**ery in early September.

After nearly eleven weeks without proper rain, we suspect many of you were also glad to hear the rain on your windows last night!

Good luck to everyone in Sussex receiving their A Level results tomorrow. 🥂The team at Rathfinny wishes you all the best...
12/08/2026

Good luck to everyone in Sussex receiving their A Level results tomorrow. 🥂

The team at Rathfinny wishes you all the best with your results and for whatever comes next.

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RATHFINNY WINE Estate
Alfriston
BN265TU

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