Boutinot to expand its English winery with six-figure loan

UK wine distributor Boutinot has invested a six-figure sum in its 10-acre Henners Vineyard in Hastings in order to create a hospitality centre, provide extra jobs and increase turnover by 200% in the next four years.

Boutinot, which is based in Greater Manchester and London, bought East Sussex winery Henners last year for an undisclosed sum.

The company has distributed the producer’s wines since they were launched in 2012. The vineyard itself was established in 2007 by former Formula 1 engineer Lawrence Warr in Herstmonceux, and comprises 10 acres of Chardonnay (40%), Pinot Noir (38%) and Pinot Meunier (22%) vines on sandstone soils situated 24 metres above sea level.

The six-figure investment, courtesy of HSBC UK, will fund the construction of a new hospitality centre, allowing trade visitors to sample the wines on site and learn about the production process.

Boutinot expects the investment to create two new jobs and to increase turnover by 200% in the next four years.

The winery has been extended twice since it was built in 2009, with around 20,000 litres of wine produced by the vineyard each year. Henners also has a long-term contract winemaking agreement with a local vineyard which sees it make a further 25,000 to 30,000 bottles a year.

The range comprises of a Brut NV, Brut Vintage Reserve, Rosé NV and multi-vintage cuvée called Native Grace.

Michael Moriarty, commercial director for Boutinot, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have brought so many fantastic wines to the UK, whether it’s from our own vineyards or our favourite international winemakers.

“Opening our new Henners UK vineyard gives us the perfect opportunity to demonstrate just how good UK wine can be and display the taste of Britain on a global stage. We continue to see our passion for great wine shared across international markets and look forward to developing relationships across the world.”

Matthew Palmer, HSBC UK’s relationship director for Greater Manchester, added: “We identified Boutinot as a rapidly expanding Manchester business, so when the opportunity came to support the opening of a new British vineyard we were delighted to offer our services”.