Stay at One of the UK’s Largest Vineyards, With Sussex Sparkling on Tap
Skip Champagne and stay in Sussex insteadRathfinny is one of the biggest names in English sparkling wine, but it’s not just a place for tastings and tours. You can actually stay the night too, right in the middle of the vineyard, at their on-site B&B, Flint House. Set within the South Downs National Park, the estate stretches across 600 acres, with neatly lined rows of vines, a large tasting room, production facilities and cellar, plus a few more laid-back spots, like a small hut serving cheese toasties and fizz by the glass for those who want something more casual.There’s a good reason Sussex has become a hotspot for sparkling wine. The South Downs sit on a band of chalk that runs through to Champagne, giving the soil similar drainage and mineral qualities. Combine that with a cool climate that helps retain acidity in the grapes, and you’ve got the ideal conditions for producing high-quality sparkling wines.The tour itself was interesting, especially as we had just visited Champagne the week before. Rathfinny only produces vintage wines, choosing to reflect the character of each year rather than blending across multiple vintages for consistency like the big Champagne houses do. It gives their wines a bit more personality, even if it means each release is slightly different. Tastings are generous too, with four pours included: three sparkling wines and one still from their Cradle Valley label. They’ve also branched out into vermouth and spirits made from their grapes, which you can try and buy in the shop.The accommodation sits down in the valley, and it’s worth arriving early enough to walk the estate before dinner. We didn’t spot any deer or hares, but the views do the job. Rooms at Flint House are simple but well done, with vineyard-facing windows, and there’s a shared lounge downstairs stacked with board games.Dinner at the Flint Barns Dining Room leans into seasonal Sussex produce, with a focus on letting ingredients shine. The beetroot with High Weald yoghurt, pickled apple and walnuts was clean and refreshing, while the Seven Sisters cured trout with cucumber and dill paired well with a glass of Rathfinny’s Estate Classic Cuvée. For mains, South Coast skate wing came with sea herbs and a Rathfinny beurre blanc, and the South Downs lamb shoulder with butter beans, green sauce and chips dusted in Pinot Noir salt was a standout. It’s always nice to find spots outside of London that offer unfussy cooking that makes the most of what’s on its doorstep.After a farmhouse breakfast of local cheeses, meats, boiled eggs and bread (ideal if you’ve leaned into the wine the night before), it was time for us to head off for a walk along the windswept Seven Sisters cliffs nearby. If you like the idea of a vineyard stay but aren’t heading to Champagne any time soon, Rathfinny more than holds its own.Key InformationAddress | Rathfinny Wine Estate, Polegate BN26 5TUFor more information | rathfinnyestate.com
