As part of a series of meetings with prominent local businesses, members of Horsham District Council’s Enterprising Horsham Business Charter Group, along with the Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Property, Cllr Jonathan Taylor and Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, Cllr Colette Blackburn recently visited Kinsbrook Vineyard at their premises in Thakeham.
Kinsbrook is a progressive family-owned vineyard run by Joseph and Rebecca who are among the UK’s youngest vineyard owners. They produce wine at their 40-acre site with a focus on sustainability and inclusivity. Since planting their first vines in 2017, the vineyard has expanded into a diverse hospitality and wine production enterprise, featuring a café deli and farmhouse restaurant, alongside an offer of tours, tastings and events.
Having received a Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) grant from the Council, Kinsbrook are now installing a new onsite wine production facility. A warehouse has already been erected and specialist wine-making equipment will be installed over the next month. This will make the vineyard self-sufficient in terms of grape processing, bottling and production.
Employing some 27 staff, including three apprentices from Plumpton College studying viticulture, Kinsbrook takes pride in its supportive and positive working culture.
Commenting on the visit, Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Property, Cllr Jonathan Taylor said:
“It was a pleasure meeting Joseph and the team at Kinsbrook, to learn more about this fantastic local business and their ambitions for the future. Local vineyards like theirs play a vital role in enriching our District’s visitor economy and food and drink sector.
“I was delighted to see their onsite production facility coming to fruition and to hear that the support of our REPF grant is helping the acceleration of their growth as a local business.
We look forward to building on our great relationship with Kinsbrook going forward.”
Joseph, Managing Director at Kinsbrook Vineyard said:
“It was great to show the councillors around Kinsbrook. The team and I really appreciated the level of interest and support shown by the Council in the development and progression of our business.We feel that the funding granted by the REPF grant to help install our first onsite winery will help us in a number of ways, from supporting winemaking innovation and sustainability, to enabling the essential growth needed in the area to help support this rapidly growing sector.”
The visit to Kinsbrook Vineyard is part of the Council’s engagement programme with businesses within the Horsham District that help to create, maintain, and promote a prosperous community and local economy. Keep a look out for news of future business visits.