Vinorium - DHA Planning

Vinorium Wine Merchants

Vinorium, the UK’s leading Australian wine merchant, raised a glass to the project team behind the recent permission to build a new headquarters with views over the North Downs in Kent.

The 780m² scheme, designed by Guy Hollaway Architects, will enable the company to move from its current premises in Lenham. Vinorium can now get to work on creating a new headquarters with space for retail, a wine-tasting room, wine storage, communal dining and a soft area for collaborative working, at the building’s heart.

Key facts

Retail space, wine-tasting room & wine storage
Woodland setting
Strong biodiversity credentials

For more information about this project contact:

Emma Hawkes

DHA persuaded Ashford Borough Council’s planning committee that the building was in a sustainable location and that its design quality, its contribution to rural employment and the impact on its setting should override the officer’s reservations.

The striking design of the headquarters, which are set beside woodland, incorporate a sloping meadowgrass roof to create a 60 metre long building that will look as though it has emerged from the ground.

The scheme demonstrated strong biodiversity credentials, including bird and bat boxes, beehives and a reflecting pool. Honey will be produced on site alongside a small amount of wine made from the on-site vineyard.

When open in 2021, Vinorium visitors will be able to compare wines from around the world against Kent’s best vintages and add to the borough’s viticulture and brewing community of attractions.