December 2019 - Hencote

Toast 2020 with Brunch at Hencote

30 December 2019/in blog, Hencote News

With the new decade on the horizon what better way to spend the first day of 2020 than with family and friends here at Hencote.

We’ll be open New Year’s Day and we’re putting on a special brunch for all our guests and diners.

The brunch will run from 10 am – 12:30 pm and is £25 pp. We’ll have a variety of tea, freshly ground coffee and fruit juice available as well as a choice of a glass of our award-winning Evolution sparkling wine, or to cure the hangover, our very own Bloody Mary.

You can then choose from a delicious selection of dishes including; eggs benedict with crispy bacon and homemade hollandaise sauce or sliced avocado, poached egg, wilted spinach, chilli flakes and toasted brioche.

Whatever you choose our New Year’s Day brunch will be the perfect pick-me-up.

Check out the New Years Day Brunch Menu – for more information E – [email protected] or call 01743 298 444

Luxury glamping shortlisted for tourism award

27 December 2019/in blog, Hencote News

We’ve got some great news. We have been shortlisted for Camping, Glamping, Holiday Park of the Year at the inaugural West Midlands Tourism Awards.

2019 has been a fantastic year for everyone at Hencote. We’ve celebrated the first birthday of The View Restaurant, Bar & Balcony and successfully released a number of estate wines – with more to come in 2020.

Not only that, but we’ve won a bronze medal at the International Wine Challenge for our Evolution sparkling wine.

Venues from Birmingham to Bewdley and Stratford-upon-Avon to Solihull will contest categories including B&B / Guest House of the Year; Business Events Venue of the Year; and Large Visitor Attraction of the Year.

The 15 successful attractions and hospitality businesses will be revealed at a special ceremony on 26th February 2020. This will be held at the University of Birmingham’s Great Hall.

Regional winners

Regional winners will automatically feed up to the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, which takes place in June.

Supported by the West Midlands Growth Company, the aim is to attract visitors and events to the region. The awards will celebrate the venues that have helped to bring a record 131 million visitors to the area in 2018. This is a 2.6% increase on the previous year.

The West Midlands’ tourism industry is now worth £12.6 billion. This is a rise of 6.7%, with the sector supporting more than 135,000 jobs.

It’s a fantastic way to end the year and we’re extremely proud of what we have achieved so far. The luxury glamping village has proved very popular with our guests who are looking for that unique luxury experience.

We’re going to be up against other worthy finalists so it will be exciting to see if we can come out on top. If you would like to know more about our luxury accommodation then you can get in touch with the Hencote team at [email protected]

How to choose the perfect sparkling wine?

16 December 2019/in blog, Wine Shop

There’s nothing better than sipping a crisp glass of sparkling wine, especially when you’re toasting the festive season and the end of a decade. With so many different styles of sparkling wine, how do you choose the one that suits your tastebuds?

We caught up with our winemaker Gavin to ask him for his top tips of choosing the best sparkling wine for you.

What’s new with sparkling wine these days?

Consumers who appreciate good fiz regularly feel that Prossecco may have run its course and are seeking out good value alternative single house Champagnes. Minimalist producers with ‘petulant natural’ styles also French Crémants and revisiting Spanish Cava, however, if you look carefully there are still some worthwhile Prosseccos and Lambruscos to be had.

Is there a common mistake people make when choosing a sparkling wine?

Looking only at big brands and bling packaging and not reading the label, also only buying Brut as sweetness kills flavour and masks fault.

How do you help customers choose a sparkling wine?

Is it for a special occasion, enjoying with food or casual quaffing? Do they like the fresh and precise blanc de blanc, fuller Classic Cuvée or my favourite…Rosé.

Do you have any top sparkling wine tips?

Drink Brut, if it is not lively on opening it is likely that it is going to disappoint. Unless it is the top end it is unlikely it will improve with age so drink it!

What are some of your preferred food pairings?

Our Hencote Evolution with Oysters is a delicious pairing. Classic Cuvée with mushroom risotto and Rosé with fillet steak are also very good combinations – another favourite is also a Rosé with Eaton Mess.

If you’re looking for that perfect sparkling wine this Christmas and New Year why not try our Evolution.

Luxury is just a city break away

3 December 2019/in blog

Barcelona is a popular destination for people looking for that perfect city break. A chance to take in the sights of the historic city and sample all its culinary delights – and we want to give two people that chance.

The Alma Spa Hotel Barcelona is one of the most exclusive and prestigious in the city. Located near Passeig de Gràcia it oozes charm and celebrity appeal to its guests.

The unique building has been renovated to integrate classicism and contemporary spirit and has a calming aura thanks to the stunning Garden of the Soul, recovered as the beginning of the plan of Ildefons Cerdà.

City breaks don’t need to be jampacked with sightseeing tours or busy shopping trips. Sometimes it’s about relaxation and escapism, and The Alma Spa Hotel offers all of that and so much more.

You can pamper yourself with a wide variety of beauty or massage treatments or simply lounge by the pool or relax in one of two saunas.

When it comes to cuisine The Garden of the Soul Restaurant is a creative Catalan inspired menu which has been crafted with the utmost attention to detail by chef Gio Esteve. Have a look at some of the photos below and picture yourself soaking in the luxurious ambience.

To be in with a chance of winning this amazing prize which also includes exquisite tasting menu & wines book your tickets to our Great Gatsby Gala and join us as we celebrate the end of 2019 and welcome 2020 to Hencote Estate.

Five reasons to hold your celebration at a luxury glamping lodge

3 December 2019/in Accommodation, blog

When it comes to the midweek or weekend getaway camping might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But glamping, now here’s a trend that has exploded in popularity over the last few years.

More people are switching their leaking tents and pop up stoves in favour of hot tubs, wood burners and relaxing views. Luxury glamping lodges provide enough of the outdoors while allowing for the creature comforts.

Glamping also lets people celebrate events in a unique location; so whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or retirement party below are five reasons to hold your next celebration in a luxury glamping lodge.

1. The venue

There are a lot of things to think about when it comes to organising a party. The first of which is finding and hiring the venue. Most locations can only be hired for a couple of hours but can be expensive. With a luxury glamping lodge, you can make the most of your surroundings. If the weather is nice, then what better way to celebrate than in the outdoors.

2. Make a weekend of it

Just because a birthday or anniversary falls on one day of the year, doesn’t mean that you have to celebrate on that day only. Most people like to make the most of their celebrations, which is why extending it over a few days is worthwhile. And best of all you don’t have to use the time sitting around airports or train stations when everything you need is right at your fingertips.

3. On-site facilities

Most luxury glamping villages have onsite activities and restaurants that you can make the most of. Here at Hencote, we have wine tours and tasting experiences as well as The View Restaurant, Bar & Balcony where you can have a delicious lunch or dinner and relax with a glass of estate wine or cocktail.

4. The great outdoors

Shropshire is blessed with some amazing views, none more so than from our luxury glamping lodges. Escaping to the country is the perfect way to unwind in a relaxing environment. If you’re hosting a party then your guests can leave their worries behind and focus on enjoying the celebrations.

5. No need to rush

Glamping allows you and your guests to go at their own pace. Whether you just want to relax with a glass of wine in the hot tub or take a walk in the Shropshire countryside, there is something for everyone. It could be a wine tasting weekend or cooking masterclass, whatever the occasion you’ll find something to fit your level of activity.

If you would like more information about our luxury glamping lodges then get in touch with one of the Hencote team at [email protected] or call 01743 298 444

Hencote Estate sparkling Evolution wine is award winning

2 December 2019/in blog, VINEYARD

We are delighted to announce that our Evolution Sparkling wine was recently a bronze medal winner at the International Wine Challenge.

The challenge which is in its 36th year is accepted as one of the most popular wine competitions. IWC judges assess every wine in a blind tasting which means judges are not able to see the wine label or where it has been produced.

Each medal-winning wine is tasted on at least three separate occasions by a minimum of 12 different judges including Masters of Wine.

The Evolution was described by Panel Chair Clem Yates as “bright, fresh, with a good balance between acidity and sweetness. Apple and lemon flavours.”

The wine has not been made in the conventional process like Champagne, Prosecco or Cava but has borrowed methods in order to present a wine that is representative to all three styles.

We also wanted to stay close to the local heritage of Shropshire and the birthplace of Charles Darwin – hence the name Evolution.

Next week we start the “triage” of our 2019 Evolution where we will stick to the preferred approach of simplicity by bottling early and maturing for only four months.

This means we capture the early fragrances of the season and anticipate the popularity of this sparkling wine to continue growing while presenting this style as our house offering.

To celebrate this achievement we have a great special offer. On Thursday 5th December you can join us for a wine tour and lunch. Here you’ll be able to view us bottling our 2019 Evolution vintage followed by a three-course meal and glass of sparkling wine at the View all for £35pp.

You can book your table here or call 01743 298 444 – we look forward to seeing you.