World-class English sparkling wines from Sussex

Our low-intervention, Traditional Method, Vintage Sussex Sparkling wines are a true expression of our terroir. Produced from hand-harvested grapes that are whole-bunch pressed and patiently matured, on lees and in bottle to develop rich, autolytic notes, with a low dosage that emphasises the purity of our fruit.

Explore our range of Sussex Sparkling wines

Rathfinny Blanc de Noirs
Our Signature Sussex Sparkling

Blanc de Noirs

Crafted from predominately Pinot Noir grapes, which are hand-harvested, and the wine is aged for 36 months in the bottle.

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Rathfinny Blanc de Blancs
Our Elegant Sussex Sparkling

Blanc de Blancs

Produced from a blend of predominately Burgundy clones of Chardonnay, which are hand-harvested, and the wine is aged for 36 months in the bottle.

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Rathfinny Rosé Brut
Our Expressive Sussex Sparkling

Rosé Brut

A red-fruit style sparkling wine that beautifully showcases the increased presence of Pinot Noir within the blend. Aged for 24 months in the bottle.

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Rathfinny Classic Cuvée
Our Classic Sussex Sparkling

Classic Cuvée

Traditional Method sparkling wine made from a blend of predominantly Pinot Noir with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, aged for 36 months in the bottle.

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Did you know the Romans claimed that the best location to plant a vineyard was within sight of the sea?  We like to think this is why our location, three miles from the English Channel, is the perfect place to protect our precious vines from frost and disease. ​

We are located on the same band of chalk that forms the Paris Basin, running from Northern France into Southern England. This breath-taking south-facing slope in the South Downs of Sussex is one of England’s exceptional natural landscapes. The climate, chalk, soil and aspect make it the perfect site for a vineyard, producing world-class sparkling wine.​

We enjoy an incredible, semi-continental, climate, with high levels of sunshine, long warm summer days and less rain than rest of the UK – again, the perfect conditions to grow the finest grapes.  ​

 

Watch our video below to discover more
The perfect location to produce world-class sparkling wine

RATHFINNY WINE ESTATE
Rathfinny Wine Estate Sussex Vineyard
Blanc de Noirs 2016 Neck Label Close Up
A sign of provenance and quality

Sussex PDO

The establishment of a Sussex wine PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) ensures that Sussex wines will continue to be considered amongst the very best in the world. The tighter rules reflect the quality of wine made in Sussex, ensuring provenance and quality.

The Sussex PDO introduce a stricter set of rules regarding both viticulture and winemaking. They include:

  • Limiting the grape varieties that can be used in Sussex sparkling wines
  • Demanding higher natural alcohol levels prior to harvest
  • Longer bottle ageing of the sparkling wines
  • Higher analytical standards such as lower Sulphur Dioxide, Copper and Volatile Acidity levels.

Sussex wines also have to pass a Qualitative Assessment, run by an independent tasting panel. Post-disgorgement the wines are assessed for colour and clarity, bubble characteristics, aroma and taste. Each wine must pass all sections and score a minimum of 12 or more out of 20 to qualify as a Sussex wine.

Single variety wines must contain at least 90% of the stated variety – Blanc de Blancs will contain at least 90% Chardonnay. Blanc de Noirs will similarly contain no less than 90% as a combination of either Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier. Vintage wine must contain 85% of the wine from that nominated year and all grapes must be grown in Sussex.