Rathfinny Wine Estate, Classic Cuvée Brut

Origin

Situated just south of the village of Alfriston in East Sussex, and just three miles from the English Channel, Rathfinny’s vines are set out on an ideal south-facing slope, protected from the worst of the prevailing south westerlies by a natural ridge that runs along the southern edge of the Estate. The soils are silty clay loam over chalk and free-draining like the soils found in Champagne, part of the Paris Basin. Rathfinny currently has 91 hectares of vineyards, with vines planted in 2.2 metre rows at a density of 4,500 vines per hectare.

Producer

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. In April 2023 Rathfinny became the third wine producer in the UK to achieve B Corp certification, exemplifying their philosophy to put people and the planet at the core of their business.

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 Classic Cuvée blends Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. It is fermented solely in stainless steel and, like all Rathfinny’s base wines, goes through malolactic fermentation. It is then aged on its lees, in bottle, for 36 months before disgorgement. The black grape character provides excellent depth of flavour, while a five grammes per litre dosage ensures great balance and elegance.

Grape Variety

44% Pinot Noir, 41% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier

Alcohol Percentage

12%

In the Press

Jancis Robinson, MW awards this wine a score of 16.5