Caring for People

‘Caring for people’ is all about building a supportive, inclusive workplace and being a positive force in our local community.

As a family-owned Wine Estate, we consider our team and the surrounding community part of the wider Rathfinny family. From vineyard workers and harvest pickers to hospitality teams and winemakers, our people are central to everything we do.

We are committed to bringing them on our journey, investing in professional development, supporting wellbeing and creating opportunities for people in Sussex.

“The Rathfinny project is not just about making wine: we are committed to supporting the wider ambitions of the English wine industry and that means nurturing the skills it requires to fulfil its potential.” — Mark Driver, Owner & Founder

Supporting the Future of English Wine

Rathfinny was founded with a long-term vision for English wine, and we believe supporting the industry also means helping to develop the skills behind it. In partnership with Plumpton College, we contributed to the establishment of the Rathfinny Research Winery, a £2 million facility dedicated to advancing research and education in English wine production.

Alongside this, we offer living-wage internships and vineyard apprenticeships that provide hands-on experience and mentoring for the next generation of winemakers and viticulturists.

lady walking with white buckets in the vines

Providing Jobs to a Local Workforce

As a rural estate, our success is closely connected to the surrounding community. Over the years, we have built a predominantly local workforce, providing employment opportunities across the vineyard, winery, hospitality and operations teams. Over time, we have trained a local picking team during harvest, many of whom return year after year.

“Relationships are at the heart of our family-owned business, whether with our staff, our local community or customers.” — Sarah Driver, Owner & Founder

Rathfinny Staff Nature Walk September 2022

Improving Wellbeing at Work

Creating a supportive workplace is essential to building a thriving team. We have introduced several initiatives designed to support staff wellbeing and encourage open communication across the business. These include trained Mental Health First Aiders, structured staff feedback channels and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives across the Estate.

Our commitment to supporting staff wellbeing has been recognised with the Silver Wellbeing at Work award from East Sussex County Council.

Supporting Our Local Community

We believe businesses should play a positive role in the communities around them. Through charitable donations, volunteering and fundraising initiatives – such as the Rathfinny Run – the team regularly supports local charities and community projects across Sussex. From environmental initiatives to social causes, these partnerships help us give back to the wider community that surrounds the Estate.