Sussex Sparkling: A Testament to Sustainable Practices

Rathfinny Wine Estate in East Sussex was founded in 2010 by husband and wife, Mark and Sarah Driver. We are committed to producing exceptional wines that express the character of our family estate, and using methods that respect our land, community, and wider environment. Once a working arable farm, the first vines were planted on the estate in 2012. Today the Rathfinny vineyard comprises over 230 acres of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.

In a country that’s not been famous for winemaking until recently, it’s a challenge full of passion, hard graft, and immense joy. Yet, our Rathfinny vintage Sussex Sparkling wines, crafted in the traditional method, are only made possible due to the perfect combination of climate, chalk soil and aspect found in Sussex. This fact formed a much deeper philosophy for us at Rathfinny; to treat our environment and community with kindness. Sustainability has always been at the heart of our decisions, so a couple of years ago we decided to embark on the journey to becoming B Corp certified. 

What is B Corp?
B Corp is a nonprofit organisation that assesses and certifies companies on their social and environmental impact, enabling them to use business as a force for good. B Corp certified businesses aim to balance purpose with profit, taking account of the environmental and social impact in all matters of business. The B Corp process involves a rigorous assessment of a company's operations, transparency, and social and environmental practices. We had to meet exacting standards set by B Corp.

Embracing the B Corp Process
Bringing every member of the Rathfinny team on the journey was the only way to build B Corp into the DNA of the business. It was a long process, because B Corp had never come across a business quite like Rathfinny before, spanning agriculture, manufacturing, winemaking, hospitality, and international distribution. With patience and determination, we became the first grower-producer of premium sparkling wine in the world to achieve B Corp certification and only the third wine producer in the UK.

Sustainability at the Core
From the vineyards to the winery and beyond, the estate strives to minimise its impact on the environment. In the vineyard, we’ve employed innovative techniques such as regenerative farming practices and precision viticulture, which focus on enriching soil health, biodiversity, and water conservation. We’ve also invested in solar power and the Dynamos machine in the winery, which prevents common wastewater during winemaking by converting into compost. We support four local charities every year, which have been nominated by the staff. We’ve made material changes to our packaging to name a few initiatives! But we’re not complacent, we have big ideas to continuously do better.

People-Focussed Philosophy
Achieving B Corp status also emphasises our people-focussed philosophy. Our success is intertwined with the well-being of our team, the local community, and all our customers and suppliers. Rathfinny ensures fair wages and provides a supportive and inclusive working environment for its staff. By championing diversity and fostering equal opportunities, we want to contribute something significant to the greater social fabric.

The B Corp Ripple Effect
By achieving B Corp certification, we’ve joined a global movement of businesses committed to using their influence for good. We are keen to collaborate with like-minded organisations and leverage our collective power to drive systemic change. By sharing best practices and collaborating on industry-wide initiatives, Rathfinny contributes to a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

We’re really proud to work with our distributor, Liberty Wines (co-sponsor of the National Restaurant Awards) who share these same values and accountability.

As summer gets underway, we hope you’ll join us in raising a glass of Sussex Sparkling to celebrate this year’s National Restaurant awards.

Content provided by Rathfinny Wine Estate.