Hoffmann & Rathbone

Nestled in the Sussex Weald, Hoffmann & Rathbone has quietly built a reputation as one of England’s most respected boutique wine producers. Founded by husband-and-wife team Ulrich Hoffmann and Birgit Rathbone, the winery combines international expertise with a distinctly English sense of place, producing wines that are as individual as they are limited.

At the heart of the estate is a simple philosophy: great wines cannot be rushed. Rather than producing wine every year regardless of conditions, Hoffmann & Rathbone releases wines only when the vintage meets its exacting standards. The result is a portfolio of small-production sparkling wines that reflect both the character of the growing season and the meticulous approach of their winemaker.

That winemaker is Ulrich Hoffmann, whose career spans more than two decades and some of the world’s most respected wine regions. From Germany and Bordeaux to Navarra, Napa Valley and beyond, he has worked across an extraordinary range of vineyards and wineries before bringing his experience to England’s emerging wine scene. His expertise has also seen him serve as an international winemaking consultant and panel chair at the International Wine Challenge.

While English sparkling wine remains the cornerstone of the winery, Hoffmann & Rathbone has never been interested in simply replicating Champagne. Instead, the aim is to create wines that express the unique conditions of southern England while embracing a modern, precision-led approach to traditional methods. Long ageing, careful blending and uncompromising attention to detail define every release.

The winery’s acclaimed sparkling range includes Classic Cuvée, Rosé Réserve, Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noir, all produced in tiny quantities and released only when deemed ready. Traditional bottle fermentation, extended cellar ageing and meticulous hand-finishing contribute to wines of remarkable complexity, finesse and longevity.

Growing demand for the wines has also encouraged the production of a handful of still wines. Released in very limited quantities, bottlings such as Bacchus and Pinot Noir have earned praise from critics and collectors alike, demonstrating the versatility of both the vineyard sources and Ulrich’s winemaking.

Today, Hoffmann & Rathbone stands as a benchmark for small-scale English wine production. Combining international perspective with Sussex terroir, the winery has shown that some of England’s most compelling wines can emerge not from scale or ambition alone, but from patience, precision and an unwavering commitment to quality.