SF Chronicle – Mark Driver, who worked for banks in London and Hong Kong before helping found a hedge fund, yesterday began planting vines on the coast of England where he aims to produce sparkling wine to match France’s finest.
Rathfinny, on the South Downs, will grow Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Riesling grapes in chalky soil similar to that of the Champagne region. The plan is to expand to about 400 acres (162 hectares) by 2020, making it the U.K.’s largest.
