English estate Rathfinny joins Liberty Wines

Sussex-based wine estate Rathfinny has appointed Liberty Wines as its exclusive agent in the UK and Ireland.

Founded in 2010 by husband and wife, Mark and Sarah Driver, Rathfinny’s estate now covers an area of 93ha in Alfriston, East Sussex, and lies just three miles from the English Channel.

Rathfinny’s estate is predominantly planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier, which are mostly made into traditional method fizz, although it also makes still wine from Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc under its Cradle Valley label.

Its sparkling wine line-up include a Classic Cuvée, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs and Rosé, which spend between 24 and 36 months on lees.

The deal with Liberty Wines marks the end of Rathfinny’s partnership with González Byass, which was formed back in 2017.

Mark Driver, co-owner of Rathfinny, commented: “It has always been our aim to be one of the on-trade’s favourite English sparkling wines and Liberty Wines, who specialise in selling to both the on-trade and independent off-trade, are a perfect distribution partner for Rathfinny. They supply some of the top hotels, bars and restaurants across the UK and Ireland, many of whom are already serving our wines by the glass. Over the coming years, we hope to deepen those relationships and welcome new customers to our wine estate in Sussex.”

Co-owner Sarah Driver added: “Rathfinny aims to be a sustainable wine producer, but also socially and environmentally responsible. It is great to be able to partner with an organisation like Liberty Wines. Like us, they hold employee wellbeing, the environment and sustainability at their core and are the first UK wine importer to be carbon neutral.

“We also take the stewardship of our land seriously. All our buildings are constructed using locally-sourced materials, such as flint from the vineyards, and we have worked with Natural England and the South Downs National Park to implement a programme of improvements to enhance wildlife habitats and reclaim areas of natural chalk grassland, as well as creating wildlife corridors throughout the vineyard.”

Rathfinny will release its 2017 vintage sparkling wines through Liberty in April/May this year.

Tom Platt, sales director of Liberty Wines, said: “There is a natural fit between Liberty Wines and Rathfinny, as not only do we share a similar philosophy, but also they complement perfectly our existing English sparkling portfolio. We would like to say thank you to Gonzalez Byass for the great work that they have done over the past three years, which we look forward to building upon.”

Rathfinny’s tasting room and restaurant, which is closed due to the coronavirus restrictions, has retained its Michelin plate in this year’s Michelin guide which was published yesterday.