Global real estate consultancy Knight Frank has signed an agreement to join Wine Garden of England as their first property partner. In the new partnership, the organisation will work primarily with Knight Frank’s viticulture team, which is focused on supporting vineyard managers and wine producers who make quality still and sparkling wine from grapes grown in Britain.
As part of its services to the expanding wine sector across England, Knight Frank has been advising many leading UK vineyard and wine businesses across the country with land identification, purchase, sale and business consultancy matters for over a decade. The consultancy also identifies land that is suitable for viticulture using its in-house geospatial vineyard mapping software. This technology assesses important variables such as soil type, altitude, frost risk, slope direction, gradient and road access to ensure the land can produce quality wine grapes. The viticulture team will then help buyers to negotiate with landowners to buy or rent land.
Knight Frank supports vineyards and wineries looking to diversify and upscale their businesses. Its placemaking-led diversification service enables wine producers to increase the quality and quantity of footfall to their site. The viticulture team is also able to provide advice on sales and investment in vineyard land and wine businesses.
Ed Mansel Lewis, Partner and Head of Viticulture at Knight Frank, said: “We are thrilled to have been appointed as Wine Garden of England’s first property partner. The organisation is doing an excellent job in growing the wine industry in Kent and we are looking forward to supporting them and their members on their exciting journey, with a variety of services tailored to their individual needs.’’
Jo Smith, Brand Manager at Wine Garden of England, added: “Our members are delighted to be working at ground level with such an esteemed land agent as Knight Frank. We are looking forward to contributing to shaping the infrastructure of the English wine industry to enable strong and sustainable growth for the future.”
Knight Frank will join Wine Garden of England’s three existing industry partners, Crowe Accountants, NFU Mutual and Cripps in supporting the wine industry in Kent. Wine Garden of England is a collaboration of eight Kent wine producers who are collectively responsible for around 80% of the county’s wine production. They work together to encourage visitors to their estates and to grow wine tourism to Kent as a whole.
Pictured: Patrick McGrath (Director of Domaine Evremond and CEO of Hatch Mansfield) and Ed Mansel Lewis, Head of Viticulture, at Knight Frank (on the right)
