Rathfinny Estate, located on the picturesque South Downs in East Sussex, is one of the UK’s largest and most esteemed vineyards. Founded by Mark and Sarah Driver, the estate spans 250 hectares, with 93 hectares currently under vine. Since planting its first vines in 2012, Rathfinny has garnered acclaim for producing some of England's finest sparkling wines, a venture deeply influenced by the founders' transcontinental journey.
Founders’ Journey: From Lantau to Sussex
The story of Rathfinny is one of dramatic career and life changes. Mark Driver, a former hedge-fund manager, and Sarah Driver, a property lawyer, left their successful London careers to pursue a dream of winemaking. However, Sarah's path to the South Downs began far earlier, in the hills of Hong Kong.
Sarah Driver spent much of her childhood on Lantau Island, where her step-father, the prominent barrister and philanthropist Brook Bernacchi, had a tea plantation. This unique upbringing, living as the only English family on the island in the pre-Big Buddha era, involved picking tea leaves and riding polo ponies across the Ngong Ping plateau. This early exposure to agriculture in a unique terroir planted a seed for her future. She returned to the UK to study law and later practised as a property lawyer with Herbert Smith in both London and Hong Kong, where her first child was born at the Matilda Hospital.
The decision to change their lives was sparked when Mark, seeking a new challenge, decided to retire early and pursue a degree in viticulture. The couple's shared dream of owning a vineyard, first kindled during trips to New Zealand, was reignited by the potential of English sparkling wine. The discovery of the Rathfinny site—with its Champagne-like chalk soils and south-facing slopes—presented the perfect opportunity. Sarah’s background, split between the rigorous discipline of law and a childhood immersed in an agricultural landscape, provided a unique foundation for managing the branding, design, and tourism aspects of the new estate.
Vineyard and Winemaking
Rathfinny's vineyard benefits from its proximity to the sea, which creates a temperate climate ideal for grape growing. The estate employs a mix of organic practices and conventional methods, utilizing innovative techniques to manage pests and enhance soil health. The vineyard primarily features Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier, with a focus on producing high-quality sparkling wines. The estate's winery is equipped with advanced hydraulic presses and has been designed for future expansion, with a capacity to produce 700,000 bottles annually by 2030.
Wine Style
Rathfinny wines are characterized by their pronounced fruit flavors and elegant acidity, achieving a delicate balance through meticulous vineyard management and winemaking processes. The sparkling wines undergo malolactic fermentation and are aged on lees for three years, creating a refined profile with minimal dosage. The estate also produces a small range of still wines and spirits, including gin and vermouth, under the Seven Sisters label.
Tourism, Community, and a Hong Kong Connection
The estate not only focuses on winemaking but also on creating a vibrant tourism experience, a facet of the business personally overseen by Sarah. Rathfinny welcomes approximately 60,000 visitors annually to its onsite restaurant, which features locally sourced ingredients, and offers accommodations for guests looking to immerse themselves in the vineyard experience.
This connection extends to Asia, creating a poignant full-circle narrative. Rathfinny's wines are distributed in Hong Kong by Jebsen Fine Wines and are featured in top restaurants such as Arcane and Bo Innovation. For Sarah, who still has family in Hong Kong and visits the Ngong Ping house she grew up in, this commercial link is also a personal one, tying the English estate back to the island that shaped her early life.
Sustainability Initiatives
Rathfinny Estate is committed to sustainable practices, recently signing up for B Corp Sustainability certification, which evaluates a company’s social and environmental impact. The estate is investing in renewable energy solutions, including solar panels, to power its operations sustainably.
Conclusion
With a blend of passion, expertise, and strategic planning, Rathfinny Estate has established itself as a cornerstone of English viticulture. Its story is uniquely enriched by a founders' journey that spans from the tea plantations of Lantau to the chalk slopes of Sussex. As the estate continues to grow, it remains dedicated to crafting exceptional wines while fostering community engagement and environmental stewardship.
