KEiBA SME
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SME BUSINESS OF THE
YEAR - (sponsored by Royal Mail)
English Wines Group,
Tenterden
English Wines Group has enjoyed a sparkling
rise in sales and reputation over the past few years.
It has captured a 40 per cent market-leading
share in English wines with its range of sparklers, rose, whites
and reds marketed with the Chapel Down label.
The winery off Smallhythe Road works with 15
partner vineyards across Kent, Essex and Sussex and is at the
forefront of innovation.
It was one of the first vineyards in the
county to spot the great opportunity that rising temperatures in
the south east could give quality wine-makers.
English Wines already makes award-winning
sparkling wines and has sown 72 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
grape on the slopes of the North Downs at Blue Bell Hill, near
Chatham.
The first sparkling wine from this fruit will
be produced in time for the 2012 Olympic Games in a development
that promises to enhance Kent’s burgeoning reputation for premium
sparklers to rival French Champagne.
The company is also part of the tourism and
leisure market, attracting visitors to the Chapel Down Winery and
Vineyard for experience tours and tastings.
Its partnership with TV chef Richard Phillips
has also put the winery’s £1 million restaurant on the fine dining
map. The venue is popular for weddings and receptions.
Demand has grown steadily in recent years, and
English Wines has faced its biggest challenge in satisfying that
demand.
Focusing on premium quality has enabled the
company to raise prices and profit margins, even in years when
growing conditions have been less than favourable.
Chapel Down is recognised as a major force
behind the changing perception of English wines. From an industry
once regarded as something of a joke, it is now highly regarded by
consumers, with Chapel Down making wines better than ever.
Judges praised the strength of its management
team, led by Frazer Thompson, who as chairman of the Institute of
Directors Kent plays an active role in wider business and community
issues. They also commended “excellent” staff engagement and
wellbeing programme.
Kent means everything to this business. “Kent
is more than just the Garden of England to us. It’s the county that
supplies us with the best fruit for our world class wines, it
supplies us with our labour and through positive discriminatory
sourcing, our products and services wherever possible.”
Factfile
Winner
English Wines Group plc
Location: Tenterden
Business Sector: Production, marketing and
sales of English wine.
Key Product/Services: English wine
Number of Employees: 24
Established: January 2002
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Thursday, June 25 2009
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