English vineyard is Surrey’s leading attraction

The Surrey Business Award for ‘Leisure and Tourism 2007/8’ has been awarded to English vineyard Denbies Wine Estate for its’ outstanding achievements. Denbies Wine Estate is the largest wine producer in the UK and one of the largest visitor attractions in the South-East of England.

Denbies now attracts over 375,000 visitors per annum and experienced a 20% growth in turnover as a result of their ongoing commitment to development and growth.

Denbies submissions highlighted disabled friendly extensions to its’ Wine and Gift Shop and parking and the refurbishment to its’ Farmhouse Guest Accommodation. New initiatives exclusive to Denbies included the hugely successful ‘Vine and Dine Grape picking experience’ and evening opening of The Gallery Restaurant.

Denbies is recognised as a forward thinking and enterprising company and currently employs 155 staff. The diversity of Denbies, which includes retail, agriculture, administration, hospitality, means that the company can provide excellent career opportunities, training and support for employees.

Denbies active role in the local community, supporting over 300 charities a year, was also commended.

Christopher White, Denbies General Manager said, “We are delighted to have received this award, it acknowledges the dedication and commitment of the entire Denbies team in providing an all round visitor experience.”

Surrey is not normally thought of as a tourist destination, yet the sector is worth over £1.2 billion to the local economy and employs over 32,000 people. Denbies has played an integral part in the development of the ‘Visit Surrey Partnership’ which has been created by a number of key tourism businesses and local boroughs and councils in Surrey. This Partnership, which has the ongoing support from Tourism South-East, aims to coordinate tourism activity and be the voice of the industry across Surrey.

Denbies will be hosting the Surrey Members Day together with the launch of the Visit Surrey website (visitsurrey.com) on February 28th.

For more information, visit Denbies.co.uk.