Gardner Leader LLP has acted on the sale of The Vineyard Hotel, Newbury, Berkshire to Edinburgh-based Apex Hotels.
The Vineyard has been owned by Sir Peter Michael and his family for 26 years. The five-AA-star hotel near Newbury opened in 1998 and became famed for its firm ties to the wine trade. Two generations of Sir Peter’s family have invested in the Michelin Key-winning hotel and, with more generational change to come, the Michael family have decided to bring in new owners to the Vineyard while they focus their efforts on the Post, a barn used for weddings and events which recently opened at the sister Donnington Valley hotel. Their other leisure assets including the fantastic Post Barn, recently opened in the grounds of Donnington Valley Hotel.
The Gardner Leader team was led by Corporate Partner, Philip Humphreys and Real Estate Partner, Joanna Bullard.
Philip Humphreys commented: “The Vineyard is a stand-out first-class hotel; a special place. Gardner Leader was delighted to be asked to act on the sale, especially so given the Michael family’s links to the local community in the Newbury area”.
Managing director Andrew McKenzie, who has run the hotel since it opened added: “Selling The Vineyard was bittersweet but we are delighted it’s going to a good home. Philip and Joanna from Gardner Leader ensured the whole process ran smoothly and efficiently. Their commitment in getting the transaction done, and obvious experience in advising on such matters, was very apparent and much appreciated”.