This summer, we officially launched our Sussex Sparkling wines in South Korea and Japan!
Upon returning to the UK, it’s sinking in that our ambition to share Rathfinny Sussex Sparkling around the world is becoming a reality. It was 14 years ago we penned this audacious statement with stars in our eyes:
‘Our ambition is that in twenty years’ time you will walk into a bar or restaurant in New York or Beijing and you’ll be asked, “Would you like a glass of Champagne or a delicious glass of Sussex? I can recommend Rathfinny.”’
Mark (Rathfinny Co-owner) and Millie (Marketing Director) spent a busy couple of weeks hosting masterclasses, staff trainings and market visits organised by our excellent overseas distributors. Here’s a little diary of the trip…
Seoul
20/06 – Upon arrival, our South Korean distributor, Cave de Vin (CDV), organise a market visit to a few wine merchants and then in the evening we host a trade masterclass at the WSA Wine Academy to wine buyers, sommeliers, press and trade professionals. The wines are well received and the audience are very vinous. They ask technical questions and show particular interest in the importance of flint in our Sussex chalk soils compared to Champagne.
21/06 – In the morning, we host a staff training for the CDV team which is great preparation for a very special evening of officially launching Rathfinny in South Korea at Cavistry restaurant, known for its caviar. 18 impeccably professional wine and food content creators attended and shared some lovely feedback on social media.
22/06 – Another market visit, this time to a wine bar called Vampire Weekend that was set up by an old Plumpton student called Gua-Seob Han. We’re told the wine bar is a hot spot on the Seoul wine scene and popular with top sommeliers. It’s a small world!
