Rathfinny Wine Estate

English sparkling wines rise from chalk soils identical to Champagne's, nestled just three miles from the sea, precisely where the Romans believed the best vineyards lay.

https://www.rathfinnyestate.com

Alfriston (Wealden), BN26 5TU Get directions

Nearest station: Seaford (4.0 miles).

Public tours

Private tours

Self-guided tours

Tasting room

Restaurant or café

Online shop

Winery on site

Walking trail

Disabled access

Award-winning

Hosts weddings

Organic or sustainable

Open year-round

While we update listings frequently, we suggest confirming important details with the vineyard to avoid any surprises.

What's the vibe

Rathfinny Wine Estate offers an elegant and modern experience, set within the stunning, extensive landscape of the South Downs National Park. Visitors can expect breathtaking views of rolling vineyards and the distant sea, making for a serene and picturesque visit.

Visiting information

Cellar Door & Shop: Open daily from 10 am to 5 pm for in-store purchases, complimentary drop-in tastings, and tours. No booking is required for the Cellar Door or to walk the self-guided Vineyard Trail.

Restaurants: The Estate features two dining options. The Michelin-recommended Tasting Room Restaurant, located in the Winery building, offers a seasonal lunch menu of modern British cuisine with vineyard views. Bookings are advised but walk-ins are welcome subject to availability. The Flint Barns Dining Room offers an approachable blend of modern classics for evening meals and Sunday lunches. The Hut, an al fresco wine bar, is open daily for sparkling wines, small plates, cakes, and hot drinks.Tours & Tastings: Various guided tours and tasting experiences are available and require pre-booking online. These tours delve into the winemaking process and culminate in a guided tasting.
Accommodation: Rathfinny offers on-site accommodation at the Flint Barns, providing bed and breakfast rooms, and a self-catering Rathfinny Cottage. The Flint Barns operate Wednesday to Sunday for dinner, bed and breakfast. The cottage is open year-round for exclusive self-catering stays.
Events: The Estate hosts various special events throughout the year; check their website for details.
Dogs & Children: Dogs are welcome in the Cellar Door Shop and on the Estate's walking trails, provided they are kept on leads. Children are also welcome at Rathfinny Estate, in the Cellar Door Shop, restaurants, or staying at the Flint Barns when accompanied by an adult. Please note, children are advised against joining vineyard tours.

The Wine

Rathfinny Wine Estate specializes in traditional method Sussex Sparkling wines, including Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Rosé, and Classic Cuvée. They also produce a still wine range called Cradle Valley, featuring Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. All wines are made exclusively from estate-grown fruit.

Rathfinny wines have garnered numerous accolades, consistently performing well in prestigious competitions. For instance, their Blanc de Blancs 2018 received a Gold award at the 2023 International Wine Challenge. In 2024, the 2019 vintage of their Blanc de Blancs received a Silver award at the International Wine Challenge. Their 2019 Classic Cuvée and 2019 Blanc de Noirs have also received Bronze awards at the Decanter World Wine Awards.

The Estate operates its own state-of-the-art winery on site, overseeing every aspect of production from grape growing to packaging and storage. Rathfinny is committed to environmental stewardship, having been certified as a B Corp in April 2023. This certification underscores their philosophy to balance purpose with profit, considering their social and environmental impact. They employ practices such as using photovoltaic cells and wastewater recycling. The vineyard actively works with organisations like Natural England and the South Downs National Park Authority to enhance wildlife habitats and biodiversity.

Getting here

By Car: Rathfinny Wine Estate is located near Alfriston, East Sussex. Detailed directions are available on their website.

By Public Transport: The nearest train stations are Polegate (approximately 15-minute car transfer), Lewes (20-minute car transfer), or Berwick (10-minute car transfer). It is advisable to pre-book a taxi as they can get booked up in advance.

What's nearby

Restaurants:
- The Star at Alfriston: A historic inn offering contemporary dining. The Star Alfriston
- The Ram Inn (Firle): A traditional pub known for its quality food in a village setting. The Ram Inn
Hotels:
- The Star at Alfriston: Offers charming rooms in a beautifully restored coaching inn. The Star Alfriston
- Deans Place Hotel: A country house hotel set in acres of gardens. Deans Place Hotel
Attractions:
- Seven Sisters Cliffs: Iconic chalk cliffs offering stunning coastal walks. Seven Sisters Country Park
- Charleston: The country home of the Bloomsbury Group, featuring art and literary history. Charleston