Rathfinny Wine Estate stands among England’s most distinguished sparkling wine producers, crafting elegant Sussex wines on the sun‑drenched chalk slopes of the South Downs. Founded in 2010, this family‑owned estate unites artisanal expertise, sustainable practices and an exceptional terroir to create sparkling wines of true world‑class calibre, rivaling the finest Champagnes. Rathfinny is also the world’s first grower‑producer of sparkling wine to achieve B Corp certification — a testament to its uncompromising quality, environmental stewardship and refined winemaking philosophy.

The 2020 growing season got off to an early start with warm weather prompting budburst in some clonal areas from 12th April. Spring comprised of very little rainfall with the driest May ever recorded in England. Flowering was completed by 27th June. The settled weather then gave way to challenging conditions in July with high winds and rain. We recorded a lower yield per vine, ensuring there was an ideal ripeness and composition across all varietals come veraison. The fruit quality matched that of the well documented 2018 vintage.

Winemaking

Inoculated with commercial yeast, fermented in stainless steel tanks at 16 °C. TIME IN BOTTLE Minimum 36 months.

Tasting notes

A rose-gold hue delivers a nose of red fruits and a mouthwatering palate of pear and plum, with a long ripe cherry finish.

Food pairing

This fruit-driven wine would match perfectly with a plate of charcuterie, Asian-style crab cakes or venison.