Rathfinny Wine Estate

RATHFINNY WINE ESTATE

WINE-FILLED EXPERIENCES TO ENJOY THIS SUMMER

Rathfinny Wine Estate has announced it’s reopening plans for their wine tourism offer to wine, dine, tour and stay on their Sussex Vineyard. Rathfinny Estate, located in East Sussex, was established in 2010 by husband and wife team, Mark and Sarah Driver. Eleven years later, it is now producing Sussex Sparkling wine that rivals the world’s finest Traditional Method sparkling wines and is served in the finest bars, restaurants and hotels nationally and internationally.

As the country emerges from the pandemic, Rathfinny will be offering an array of ‘wine-filled’ experiences for customers to dine, stay, tour & taste, and shop on the picturesque Vineyard. The reopening also coincides with the release of their new sparkling wines - 2017 Classic Cuvée and 2017 Blanc de Blancs - so this summer will be the perfect time to plan a food and wine getaway. With the popularity of wine tourism growing in England, Sarah Driver says “we believe there is nothing better than a wine-filled weekend where you can taste worldclass sparkling wine on the land that it was produced. We can’t wait to get customers back to the Estate to try our new vintages”. Rathfinny Sussex Sparkling wine has received glowing praise from wine critics including Will Lyons from The Sunday Times describing Rathfinny’s 2016 Blanc de Noirs “decedent and world-class” in its list of best wines to buy last summer. DINE – AL FRESCO

Rathfinny has launched their al fresco Vineyard Picnic Hampers which are available to enjoy on a grassy bank overlooking the Vineyard. Estate Head Chef, Chris Bailey, has created picnic menus that embrace his love of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Picnic Hampers include a three-course snacking menu at £25 per head with the option to order chilled Rathfinny Sussex wines whilst soaking up the English summer sunshine. Picnics will be available, 12noon - 3.30pm, Wednesday to Sunday.

DINE – MICHELIN PLATE TASTING ROOM

For customers looking for a fine dining Vineyard experience, Rathfinny Estate are reopening their Michelin Plate Tasting Room restaurant located within their Sussex Heritage , award-winning Winery with breath-taking views overlooking the Vineyard and South Downs. Head Chef, Chris Bailey, and his team serve a new take on contemporary, ingredientfocussed British cuisine, using the finest seasonal produce available from the land, sea and garden of the British Isles. 2 or 3 course lunches are available from £32 a head and tasting menu dinners on Fridays and Saturday evenings from £55 with an option to add a Sussex wine flight. Sample dishes include Hasselback Jersey Royals with caviar, Turbot roasted on the bone with monk’s beard, young vegetables, brown butter and mussel sauce followed by Tumaco extra dark single-origin chocolate cremeaux with cocoa crisp and olive oil sorbet.

DINE – AL FRESCO WALK INS

Just three miles from the sea, where the coast meets the countryside, Rathfinny is passionate about pairing their wines with the finest food and working with local suppliers. Visitors making an impromptu visit can dine al fresco on the Tasting Room balcony for nibbles paired with Rathfinny Sussex wines or relax on

the Flint Barns grassy bank enjoying an antipasti lunch menu.

STAY – WEEKEND & SHORT BREAK OFFERS AT THE FLINT BARNS

For those who are looking to extend their visit, Rathfinny is now taking bookings at their award- winning Flint Barns bed and breakfast from the 19th May so customers can enjoy the entire Estate offer and wake up in the heart of an English vineyard. Indeed, The Guardian Travel described the Rathfinny tourism packages as “The new wine heartlands of the South Downs.” Rathfinny has launched popular summer weekend and short break package offers, a ‘Tour and Tasting package’ from £229.50 for two guests which includes an overnight stay, summer tour and tasting, Vineyard picnic lunch, bottle of Rathfinny Classic Cuvée sparkling wine and a seasonal breakfast. The Estate is also offering a ‘Dine and Unwind package’ from £200 for two guests, which includes bed and breakfast, tea and homemade cake on arrival with a glass of Classic Cuvée and a three-course dinner at the Flint Barns Dining Room restaurant. Reservations can be transferred or cancelled if the Flint Barns is forced to close due to Covid-19

TOUR & TASTE

Visiting a Vineyard would not be the same without sampling Rathfinny’s famous Sussex Sparkling wines. Summer tours and tastings will commence from 21st May where customers will be able to tour the Estate and learn how Rathfinny turns grapes into world-class sparkling wines. All tours conclude with a tasting of Rathfinny Sussex Wines. Tours are priced at £25 a person. Complimentary, drop-in tastings will also commence from the Cellar Door shop. Sarah Driver, Rathfinny Co-Owner noted, “Our main intention is to be able to continue to provide a truly memorable Rathfinny experience as we have always strived to deliver, whilst ensuring our guests and staff are kept safe.” Rathfinny have implemented extra processes and measures in order to maximise the safety of all guests and staff on the Estate including site hygiene and social distancing. Customers will be asked to follow all social distancing signage, directions and protocol whilst on the Estate, until regulations change. The Wine Estate Cellar Door shop, is also open daily between 10am-3pm. Customers can now place orders in advance using the ‘click and collect’ service on their new online shop: shop. rathfinnyestate.com, or drive to the Estate to shop, carrying out social distancing measures.

rathfinnyestate.com