Cradle Valley Pinot Gris 2025

Cradle Valley Pinot Gris

Region: East Sussex, Southern England

Vintage: 2025

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Pinot Gris

ABV: 11.5%

A refreshing and light Pinot Gris with aromas of pear, lemon peel and green apple on the nose. On the palate, mouthwatering acidity is tempered by juicy notes of white peach and apricot.

Fruit for the Cradle Valley Pinot Gris is sourced from Rathfinny’s estate vineyard. The site is situated three miles from the Channel, south of the village of Alfriston. The vines are planted on a south-facing slope, protected from the strong prevailing south westerlies by a natural ridge that runs along the southern edge of the estate. The soils are composed of silty clay loam over chalk and are free-draining. This, combined with the sites aspect and semi-continental climate, results in the ideal ripening conditions for the grapes.

The Pinot Gris grapes were harvested by hand. Fermentation took place in stainless steel, at cool temperatures, to preserve the vibrant primary fruit aromatics. A small proportion was fermented in used French oak barrels for additional texture.

Alongside their exceptional English sparkling wines, Rathfinny also produce still wines under the Cradle Valley label. As with all their wines, fruit is sourced exclusively from the Rathfinny estate vineyard. The site occupies the main part of the Cradle Valley, on a south-facing slope close to the Cuckmere Valley, an idyllic chalk grassland known for its abundance of birdlife and wildflowers.