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.
Alfriston (Wealden), BN26 5TU
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Opening Hours
| When | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Year-round | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | 10:00–17:00 |
Cellar Door Shop open daily 10am-5pm for in-store purchases, tours, complimentary drop-in tastings and click and collect. The Hut (walk-ins only) also daily 10am-5pm, until 6pm Saturday evenings in summer. Vineyard Trail 10am-5pm, free map from the Cellar Door. Flint Barns Restaurant is separate and more limited -- closed Mon-Tue, dinner Wed-Sat 6-8pm, seasonal Sunday lunch 12-3.30pm. No drop-in coach parties without prior reservation. Previous entry wrongly showed Wed-Sun only, missing Monday and Tuesday, which are actually normal Cellar Door opening days.
Opening hours can change for private events - it's always worth checking the vineyard's website before you visit.
What's the vibe?
Rathfinny Wine Estate is a large, purpose-built wine estate set within the South Downs of East Sussex. It offers a polished visitor experience combining vineyard landscapes, modern facilities, and a range of wine-led hospitality options.Visiting Rathfinny Wine Estate
Cellar Door & Shop: The Cellar Door Shop is open daily (Monday–Saturday 10am–5pm; Sunday 10am–4pm) for in-store wine purchases, complimentary drop-in tastings, click & collect orders and self-guided walking trail maps. Advance booking is not required for the shop or self-guided walks.
Restaurants & Dining: The Tasting Room is open all year round, serving seasonal menus that celebrate Sussex produce, and features in the Michelin Guide. The Flint Barns Dining Room offers seasonal modern British dishes with evening service Wednesday–Saturday and traditional Sunday lunches; reservations are recommended. The Hut is an al fresco wine bar open seven days a week for drinks, light bites, coffee and cakes, with walk-in service only.
Tours & Tastings: Seasonal winery and vineyard tours last around 1 hour 45 minutes and conclude with a tasting of sparkling wines; they are priced from £27.50 per person and must be booked in advance through the reservations team. Standalone wine tastings are available all year round and also require advance booking. Self-guided walks and drop-in tastings at the Cellar Door do not require pre-booking.
Private Hire & Weddings: The estate hosts weddings and corporate events, with capacity for up to 25 overnight guests across the 10 en-suite Flint Barns rooms and the Rathfinny Cottage. Check the estate website for availability and enquiry details.
Accommodation: On-site accommodation is available at Flint Barns B&B, offering en-suite bed and breakfast rooms from £275, and at Rathfinny Cottage for self-catering stays sleeping up to four guests. These are bookable year-round with varying check-in/check-out arrangements.
Events: The estate hosts a programme of seasonal experiences and events including guided walks, al fresco dining events and wine-focused activities such as The Art of Wine Tasting.
Dogs & Children: Dogs on leads are welcome in outdoor areas and on estate walking routes; The Hut welcomes dogs on the lead. Well-behaved children are welcome in public areas, and the walking trails are suitable for children, though tours and some tastings are designed primarily for adults.
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The Wine at Rathfinny Wine Estate
The estate operates a fully integrated winery on site, overseeing the entire process from grape growing through to bottling and ageing. Long-term land stewardship and environmental responsibility form part of the estate’s approach to vineyard management and operations.
Getting to Rathfinny Wine Estate
By Public Transport: The nearest train stations are Polegate, Lewes and Berwick; onward travel to the estate is typically by taxi.
Book train tickets in advance via Trainline.
What's nearby
- Restaurants:
- The Star at Alfriston – Historic inn with dining.
- The Ram Inn, Firle – Village pub serving food.
- Hotels:
- The Star at Alfriston – Rooms in a restored coaching inn.
- Deans Place Hotel – Country house hotel with gardens.
- Attractions:
- Seven Sisters Country Park – Coastal walking and chalk cliffs.
- Charleston – Former Bloomsbury Group home with exhibitions and gardens.