Harvest is, without doubt, the most crucial time of year on the Estate. Over the summer, the Vineyard team nurture the grapes to ripeness and then, in just a few short weeks, the fruit is hand-picked and taken to the Winery. At Rathfinny, we’re blessed to have a supportive team of pickers from the local area happy to roll up their sleeves and head out into Vineyard for what it fast becoming a contemporary Sussex tradition.

This year, it’s been a pleasure to welcome local resident Darren Evans into the picking team. Some of you might know Darren from the community runs he organises at the Estate, and his inspiring commitment to sustainability. We asked Darren to tell us a bit more about the 2025 Harvest.

By Darren Evans, Seaford-based Community Organiser and 2025 Harvest Picker

I’m Darren Evans, a Seaford local, runner and member of Rathfinny’s 2025 harvest team. Taking part in my first harvest has been truly special. Not only has the sun shined (mostly), but there’s been a great sense of camaraderie in our 16-strong team.

I know Rathfinny well having organised plenty of running events here over the years. The harvest has brought that same community spirit and ‘get-stuck-in’ attitude which I love. Plus, you spend the day outside in the beautiful South Downs National Park.

People walking among the vines during 2025 harvest
White buckets in the vine rows during harvest

A New Way to Pick

This year, Rathfinny introduced a new grape-picking system. The main aim is to improve efficiency by running buckets up and down the rows of vines instead of using the tractor. Not only does this help reduce tractor miles which is great from a sustainability perspective, but it’s also good for fitness.

Each row of vines requires around sixteen pickers, each with two buckets, working together. My role is the “bucket runner”: as soon as a picker’s bucket starts to fill, I consolidate it into a full one and carry it up to the tractors waiting at the end of the row. Then it’s back down again: repeat, repeat, repeat!

A Great Way to Get Fit!

Over the nine days of picking, I walked over 165km with 5,000 plus metres of elevation. On a typical day, I clocked about 36,000 steps among the vines (and that’s not counting my walk over from Seaford).

It’s physically tough, but that’s part of what I love. For anyone training for Hyrox or long-distance running, the harvest is the perfect workout: time on your feet, lifting, pacing and all outdoors in the beautiful Cradle Valley.

Darren Evans buckets
Darren Evans Portrait

Teamwork in the Vines

What has really stood out for me is the sense of teamwork. From the pickers to the tractor drivers, everyone plays a part. Our team leader, Dave, keeps things running smoothly and we’re all connected through a WhatsApp group for updates. It feels like one big, supportive community.

The atmosphere is brilliant. I’ve met some fantastic ‘like-minded’ people who also enjoy being physically active and in the outdoors. You get to know people you might never otherwise meet, like Max and Oscar, two of the young lads loading the tractors — a special shout out to them! As a team it’s always great to have a clear goal to keep everyone motivated, and ours is simply to get the best fruit into the buckets and up to the Winery as quickly as possible.

lady walking with white buckets in the vines
People working in the vines under the Flint Barns

From Farmland to Vineyard

My connection with Rathfinny goes way back. When I first moved to Seaford in 2006, this land was still farmland. I remember taking photos when the fields were full of bright yellow rapeseed. Then came the first vines.

I spoke to the Rathfinny Founder & Owner Sarah Driver at the Estate about organising a run through the Vineyard. It took a while to come to life because of COVID delays but we got there, and next year will mark our fourth Rathfinny Run.

We also host the Rathfinny Christmas Run, which raises money for WOLO, a local cancer charity that’s close to my heart.

It’s been incredible watching local runners come together to experience the Vineyard in a whole new way and seeing the Cradle Valley looking green and full of life.

Rathfinny_Run_Medal_Winners
Rathfinny Run

Running Sustainably

In keeping with Rathfinny’s commitment to sustainability, our runs are also designed to ‘tread lightly’.

We provide electric minibus transfers from Berwick and Seaford to reduce emissions. We’re completely plastic-free, with no bottled water. Our medals are recycled slate, strung on pre-loved trainer laces instead of new ribbons, and all the post-run food is vegan, with no packaging waste.

Get stuck in!

If you live locally to Rathfinny and enjoy being in the outdoors and part of a community, why not join for one of the Rathfinny Runs or sign-up for harvest next year?

Further News

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Man looking out with hand on fence posts in Sussex

Nurturing the Land: How Rathfinny Supports the Countryside Stewardship Scheme