Present Day- Hencote
In 2009 the owners of a small private estate at Hencote planted a hobby vineyard comprising 160 vines.
Within a few years, this was producing surprisingly buoyant harvests of good quality grapes. Despite a lack of encouragement and genuine scepticism from Viticulturists, a subsequent and exhaustive study revealed conducive growing conditions for establishing a viable vineyard. The owners passionately believed that the estate could be developed to support both a vineyard and also oeno-tourism.
This vision has inspired the development of the estate today. By 2015 a new vineyard of 24,000 vines had been planted. Earlier this year the winery building was completed and a new restaurant and wine and cocktail bar opened. A new glamping village was also opened and a brand new road linking the estate to main vehicular routes was established.
Now people have the opportunity to visit a genuine English wine estate, view the ancient wet woodlands, stroll through the vineyard, visit the winery operation, taste the locally produced wines, dine in a new restaurant, stay over in a beautifully restored Georgian hay barn or in any of 10 thoughtfully appointed luxury glamping lodges.
An insistence on authenticity and a keen eye for detail has driven the creation of this unique English experience; Hencote is now a destination with national appeal.
Why don’t you come and visit us?
