Balfour Winery Becomes First BRCGS-Accredited UK Vineyard
At Balfour Winery, we’re thrilled to share the fantastic news that we have become the first vineyard in the UK to achieve the prestigious BRCGS full accreditation. This significant milestone marks a new chapter of growth and excellence for our state-of-the-art site in Kent.
What is BRCGS Accreditation?
The BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standard) certification is a globally recognised benchmark for food safety, integrity, legality, and quality. It is adopted by over 22,000 sites across 130 countries and endorsed by 70% of the top 10 global retailers, 60% of the top 10 quick-service restaurants, and 50% of the top 25 manufacturers. While many UK food and drink producers hold this certification, Balfour Winery stands out as the first UK winery to achieve full accreditation.
The Journey to Accreditation
Earning this accreditation was no small feat. Our winery underwent a comprehensive audit by an accredited Certification Body (CB). This meticulous process involved assessing our manufacturing facility, records, documentation, and processes across nine core areas of operation.
The auditors were particularly impressed with our exceptional standards of quality, cleanliness, and the positive culture within our winemaking team. Head Winemaker Fergus Elias expressed his delight:
“I am absolutely over the moon to see our facility awarded this key accreditation. It’s a huge testament to the calibre of our team at Balfour, who not only passed these highly challenging processes but did so with a smile on their face. All while continuing to produce almost 900,000 bottles—a 130% increase on our previous record-breaking year. I want to say a huge thank you to my amazing team, led by Emma Barlow and Frances Trappey, for all their work to pull this off.”
What This Means for Balfour Winery
Achieving BRCGS accreditation is a significant milestone for us. It not only affirms our commitment to maintaining the highest standards but also positions us as a leader in the UK wine industry. This recognition is internationally acknowledged, enhancing our reputation and aiding our efforts to increase exports and sales to some of the UK’s top retailers.
Owner Richard Balfour-Lynn highlighted the importance of this achievement:
“This demonstrates that in the UK, we can not only produce quality wines but do so with world-leading standards. It’s a huge boost of confidence for us at Balfour and for the industry generally, meaning we can go head-to-head with some of the world’s leading producers at scale, without losing the sense of provenance and place that comes with English wine.”
Looking Ahead
With this accreditation, Balfour Winery is set to continue our journey of excellence. We are proud of our team’s hard work and dedication, which have made this achievement possible. As we look to the future, we remain committed to producing high-quality wines that our customers can trust.
We invite you to join us in celebrating this milestone and to experience the exceptional quality of Balfour wines for yourself. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Balfour Winery, where tradition meets innovation in Tenterden.
Cheers,
The Balfour Winery Team
