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Hambledon secures £10m capital to fund next growth phase
The UK’s oldest commercial vineyard has secured £10m capital to finance the next stage of its growth journey, including adding a new visitor centre to support its wine tourism goals.
Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance (STB CF) has agreed to put up £10 million to support Hambledon Vineyard’s growth ambitions. Hambledon says the acquisition will allow the producer to “maintain its level of production”, “increase its market share” both at home and abroad, and make inroads in becoming a top spot for oenotourism in the UK.
First on the list of priorities for Hambledon is the addition of a new visitor centre to accommodate an increased guest footprint at the vineyard.
Founded in 1952 by Major-General Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones, Hambledon is England’s oldest commercial vineyard operation. It was bought in November last year in a joint deal between Berry Bros. & Rudd and Port aficionado Symington Family Estates.
According to a release put out by the two companies at the time, the move represents “growing confidence in the dynamic English Sparkling wine category.”
“The English Sparkling Wine category has shown consistent growth and continues to do so,” says Joe Jeffers, finance director of Hambledon. “We are delighted to partner with STB for the next phase of our journey. As the wine tourism sector continues to flourish, there will be more opportunity for growth for Hambledon and the facility we have received from STB CF will provide the required working capital to grow.”
Tony Young, regional sales director at STB CF revealed that Hambledon had approached the finance organisation following “a record-breaking harvest” and the two companies had worked together to create “a flexible finance option that supports not only the current growth it is experiencing, but the future growth as the team focuses on targeting new markets across the globe.”
The next phase of growth will be spearheaded by James Osborn, the estate’s new managing director, who joined the team just last month from the English wine consultancy team for real estate agency Knight Frank.
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