Denbies Wine Estate is delighted to have achieved a Gold level status from Green Tourism. The gold status was confirmed following the vineyard’s most recent assessment from a Green tourism representative. Members are visited every two years to assess them against a range of criteria relevant to their business type, sustainable tourism indicators include protecting the environment, respecting local cultures, supporting communities , conserving natural resources and minimising pollution.
‘Receiving the gold level is a real testament to the whole team, sustainability has been and will continue to be a major focus at Denbies. We strive to lead the way to become market leaders in every aspect of our business in regards to sustainability and environmental wellbeing’ commented Chris White, Denbies CEO.
In 2016 Denbies received the Gatwick Diamond Green Business of the Year, sponsored by Crawley Borough Council. Denbies are members of the Green Tourism Association and are the first UK vineyard members of the Bat Conservation Trust.
Denbies Wine Estate has also just received approval for planning for their Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast Accommodation. The application has been a long process, Denbies is located in the heart of the Surrey Hills AONB, therefore it was essential that the submission fulfilled not only all of the planning requirements but was demonstrated to be unobtrusive and sympathetic to the surroundings.
Denbies Farmhouse currently has seven en-suite double bedrooms and operating at an average of 95% occupancy, is well above the national UK average. Denbies plan to add an additional 10 en-suite bedrooms and with a total of 17 bedrooms the Farmhouse will become the Uk’s first Vineyard Hotel.
‘The location of the hotel, in the heart of the vineyard, overlooking acres and acres of vines, lends itself to perfect peace and tranquillity,’ commented Denbies CEO, Christopher White, ‘ we are very excited to transform the accommodation into a unique hotel which will be in keeping with and sensitive to the ethos of the business. The demand for vineyard accommodation has exceeded all expectations from when the Farmhouse opened in 1994.’
The building work following sustainable best practice will commence in the spring of 2018 and will be introduced in two phases to ensure minimum impact on the surrounding area.
Particular features of the hotel will include bespoke wine tastings on the lawn hosted by Denbies Wine Expert, behind the scenes tours of the vineyard and winery and al fresco vineyard dining throughout the summer months.
Note – Green Tourism is considered one of the most rigorous certification programmes of its kind. It is the only one independently validated by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) on behalf of VisitEngland, VisitWales and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, and is endorsed by VisitScotland and Failte Ireland. Green Tourism is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1997. Our mission is to encourage and enable people to make sustainable choices that reduce their impact on the planet.
