Rathfinny Wine Estate, Alfriston

Mark and Sarah Driver established Rathfinny Wine Estate in 2010 with the express intention of producing some of the world’s finest wines and they are well on their way of achieving their ambition. With nearly 300 acres under vine Rathfinny have world class wines selling internationally and in the best restaurants in the country.

Rathfinny is set within The South Downs National Park which became the UK’s 15th National Park on the 31st March 2010. The winery building was one of the first major planning applications considered by the SDNPA.

Mark and Sarah initially asked me to provide a design to remodel an existing single storey property for the incoming vineyard manager and his family. Soon after I was asked to design a completely new building for the estate office and shortly after, the winery which was RIBA Shortlisted in 2015 in addition to winning a Sussex Heritage Trust Award. I have since designed two new buildings to accommodate the wine making and ageing process which HRH Princess Anne officially opened in 2018.