York vineyard and brewery announces new investment plans with Barclays funding

Yorkshire Heart Limited, the York-based vineyard and brewery, has announced expansion plans with investment in new premises after securing new funds from Barclays.

Established in 2000, the vineyard was started at Nun Monkton, York, with 35 vines by husband and wife team Chris and Gillian Spakouskas.

They produced their first official wine five years later and now have 35,000 thousand vines and grow seventeen different varieties of grapes.

The duo launched their brewery in 2011, and son Timothy now produces seven core beers with two different craft beers each month.

The family-run business is now investing in a visitor centre, which will enable them to offer wine tours and tastings together with other functions throughout the year.

Gillian Spakouskas, director of Yorkshire Heart Limited, said: “We need to continue with our investment programme to meet the increasing demand for our wines and beers and be able to host events in our new visitor centre.

“We were short listed in the White Rose Awards in both 2015 and 2016 and winners at the Harrogate Business Awards in both 2015 and 2016.

“This seems to have helped to spread the word about our products and we’re very grateful that Barclays has provided funding for the future and has been able to support our investment plans.”

The company anticipates the new visitor centre will increase the turnover and also help add to their wedding trade.

Sarah Broadhurst, Barclays business banking manager, commented: “Chris and Gillian were previously seeing visitors in a marquee which made winter trade difficult so it made good business sense for them to invest in a purpose built visitor centre so they can operate all year round.

“This is a great example of a well-run family business and the new facilities will take them to the next exciting chapter for the future.

“I am confident we will see this fast growing and ambitious business going from strength to strength and with craft ales going mainstream, the business is well placed to succeed in this exciting market.”

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