Hands on at Rathfinny
For three weeks in October, James worked closely with the Rathfinny team, processing grapes from the 2024 vintage and gaining insight into the rhythm and challenges of harvest. “I’d never done a harvest before, so it was thrilling to see the whole process—from the grapes arriving to their journey through fermentation.” . His time at the estate solidified his love for hands-on roles in winemaking, and the experience felt like the perfect blend of science, art, and community spirit.
His admiration for Rathfinny’s winemaking practices grew over his time here, too. “The attention to detail here is incredible. Tony Milanowski, who leads the winemaking team, comes from a background in chemical engineering, so he has a real scientific rigor to his approach,” James explains. He appreciates that while the end product is about the sensory enjoyment of wine, the process itself is highly technical. “The science behind it all drives quality, and seeing that focus up close was really inspiring,” he adds.
To the winery
Before Liberty Wines, James was pursuing a PhD in chemistry. But the slow pace of lab work left him wanting something more dynamic. “I was looking for a career that was still science-focused but also creative and human,” he recalls. His love for wine, paired with his analytical background, eventually led him to Liberty. “This apprenticeship offers an unmatched view into every part of the industry,” he says, acknowledging that he’s able to explore many different roles before determining where he best fits.
Yet it’s the community aspect that struck James most during his time in Sussex. Working alongside the dedicated Rathfinny team and Sussex pickers gave him insight into the strong community values of the English wine industry. “The English wine scene is tight-knit. It’s amazing to see how everyone supports one another in what’s still an emerging market,” he remarks.
This support extended into the everyday operations at Rathfinny. “The viticultural team is out there constantly checking on the vines to ensure they’re healthy, and the lab team analyses grapes from every plot to determine ripeness and readiness for picking,” he describes. There’s a dedication to exceptional quality at every stage, and James appreciates the care and collaboration it takes to bring a vintage to life.
