Rob’s blog…
In the words of Nina Simone, “It’s a new day, it’s a new dawn, it’s a new life for me, yeah, and Iâ’m feeling good”. I don’t know Nina’s reasons for being so upbeat, but I do know ours. Having officially released our sparkling wines into the market on the 1st June, and with our Hong Kong launch on the horizon, to say we’re excited here at Rathfinny would be an understatement.
You’ve all heard about our launch by now, so I’ll try not to go on about that fantastic day on the 24th April at Somerset House. So good was it in fact, that in my mind, I’m still there, tucking into Victoria sponge and oysters, sipping our fizz and err… working the room, of course. The next step was getting our Blanc de Blancs and Rosé out onto the market, and by that, I mean the UK. You’ll be hearing from me again soon on our Hong Kong adventure, I bet you can’t wait…
Product-free, for a year and a half leading up to the launch, we’d used that time to build lasting relationships with customers we wanted to work with, places where Rathfinny’s iconic bottle and unique brand identity would ‘fit’, sharing elements of our ethos and values. From super-luxe hotels, iconic restaurants through to the more modern, high-end wine bars, luxury department stores and independent wine merchants.
We welcomed over forty top sommeliers, wine buyers and merchant-owners down to the Estate to show them what we’re about. Some have even been back since, more than once, whether it’s for harvest or just to spend a weekend at our Flint Barns with the family. We’ve been lucky, in that everyone we’ve looked to work with, has wanted to work with us! We’re aware that this is a unique position to be in for the new bubbly on the block, and we’re very grateful for it.
In many ways though, our work is just beginning. To us, it’s that high level of service after the deal’s been done that’s key, whether it’s training staff or collaborating with them on events. That in mind, we’re running a Rathfinny pop-up on the hallowed roof terrace at the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho, from the 6th – 19th August. You’ll be able to buy tickets for ‘Rathfinny on the Roof’ from www.designmynight.com which will include a free drink and access to a Rathfinny ‘bar’, serving our Blanc de Blancs, Rosé, Cradle Valley and our Seven Sister’s Gin, also available in a bespoke cocktail menu designed by their Head Mixologist.
Event-plugging done, it gives me the utmost pleasure to let you know where you can find us so far, those with a star * are live now, others will be live shortly. Drum roll please…
Where to find us:
Restaurants
- The Savoy*
- Annabel’s*
- Sexy Fish*
- The Rosewood Hotel*
- Nobu*
- Le Gavroche*
- Hakkasan*
- Sake no Hana*
- The Cavalry & Guards Club*
- Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons
- Ham Yard Hotel
- Dinner by Heston
- Margot
- 67 Pall Mall
- Whatley Manor
- The Hand & Flowers
- 10 Greek St
Retail
- Harvey Nichols (London, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh)*
- Berry Brothers & Rudd*
- Cambridge Wine Merchants*
- Oxford Wines*
- Soho Wine Supply*
- Jascots
- Hedonism Wines
- Lea & Sandeman
Our wines will also be available at various outlets in Sussex, more on that later, and of course from the Tasting Room at the Winery, where you can purchase, taste, tour and dine.
