Harvest is the most exciting time of the year to visit Rathfinny Wine Estate. To celebrate, Rathfinny are welcoming guests to visit the Estate and dine at the Harvest Courtyard Restaurant at The Flint Barns and take an autumn break by booking a Harvest special, short-break package which includes dinner, bed and breakfast and a unique grape picking tour and tasting.

The Harvest Courtyard Restaurant at Rathfinny will be open for lunches and dinners from Thursday 1st October to Sunday 8th November. Estate Head Chef, Chris Bailey, will be using high quality produce and cooking over an open fire in the Courtyard. The menu uses ingredients guided by the season, Sussex region and inspired by the Vineyard. Dishes include lemon sole cooked over last year’s vines, wood roasted local game with pinot noir grapes and crab rarebit, followed by pear and almond frangipane tart with poached cherries, madeleines quince fool and pain d’épices. All dishes pair perfectly with Rathfinny Sussex Sparkling wines. Lunch is £22 for two courses, £25 for three. Dinner is priced at £32 for two courses and £35 for three. The Courtyard is covered with a marquee structure which provides a roof and insulation for the unpredictable British weather.

Fosse Meadow Chicken

Visitors looking for an immersive experience to better understand the craft and importance of Harvest at Rathfinny, can enjoy a Harvest Mid-Week Escape Package. This short break offer includes a night’s stay, dinner for two at the Harvest Courtyard Restaurant, breakfast and a Grape Picking & Tasting Experience.

Walking through the vines, the 90-minute grape picking tour takes visitors through the history, terroir and the processes that go into making Rathfinny Sussex Sparkling wine. Accompanied by an experienced guide, guests will be given a pair of secateurs to pick grapes at their leisure whilst exploring the Vineyard and discovering the benefits of hand-harvesting, followed by the opportunity to taste Rathfinny’s highly regarded Sussex Wines.

Rathfinny Estate, located on a wonderful south-facing slope in East Sussex, was established in 2010 by husband and wife team, Mark and Sarah Driver, on the site of a working arable farm. Ten years later, it is now producing Sussex Sparkling wine that rivals the world’s finest Traditional Method sparkling wines.

COVID measures on the Estate will be in place to ensure the safety of guests and the Rathfinny team at all times.

Harvest 2020 Marquee

Sarah Driver, co-owner of Rathfinny says, “Harvest is the best time of the year at Rathfinny. As well as a delicious smell pervading the Winery, there’s an air of excitement as all the hard work of the year comes to fruition. It’s all about the shared experience of bringing in the grapes and, of course, we are now offering the chance to taste delicious seasonal food and our Sussex Sparkling wine in the heart of the Estate.”

Visitors can also purchase Rathfinny’s portfolio of Sussex Sparkling wines, premium still wines and Seven Sisters spirits from the Cellar Door shop, relocated during harvest to The Flint Barns. Customers can now place orders in advance using the ‘click and collect’ service on the new online shop (shop.rathfinnyestate.com), or order online for delivery across the UK.

gift wine

Post-Harvest, and after a successful summer of Vineyard Picnics and the Seafood takeaway menu, the Tasting Room restaurant, recently awarded a Michelin Plate, will be resuming usual service and reopening for lunch from Thursday 12th November. Reservations now available.

Guests can expect to enjoy modern, British, seasonal cuisine plated by Michelin awarded chef, Chris Bailey paired with Rathfinny world-class Sussex Sparkling wines. Situated in the beautiful South Downs of Sussex, the restaurant has panoramic views of the Vineyard and the onlooking countryside. Perfect for a long-leisurely lunch with friends or a special occasion. Rathfinny is located 45 minutes from Brighton and an hour and a half from London. COVID measures will be in place to ensure the safety of all guests and the team at all times.

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