DENBIES_WINE_ESTATE_LIMIT - Accounts

The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Results and performance

We are pleased with how the business has fared during the year. Turnover has continued to grow helped by a favourable harvest, organic growth, and return on recent capital investment. We also welcomed two new complementary businesses to the estate which has further enhanced the visitor experience and supported our green agenda. A healthy profit has been maintained against a headwind of higher inflation and increasing interest rates.

Business environment

We are experiencing anticipated levels of income in line with our forecast.

The growing season in 2023 has started, we have again avoided the late spring frosts and therefore have the potential for a high level of fruitfulness.

We have a strong wine sales order book and increasing number of bookings for functions and events to fulfil. We have doubled our PV power production to partially offset the increase in energy costs and to further reduce our carbon footprint. The new vineyard hotel continues to perform well and will benefit from the opening of a new bioclimatic all weather alfresco dining area towards the end of the year.

Strategy

Our strategy is to continue to diversify the business so that we can expand our target market, maximise the potential for direct wine sales and spread risk. We will invest capital as required to grow income and increase the value of the business. With all new capital projects, a best practice in environmental consideration is adopted.

Market risk

Whilst competition continues to grow we continue to invest in our team of employees, invest in technology, and invest capital into areas that have opportunity to grow and diversify the business further.

Liquidity risk

The company manages its cash and borrowing requirements centrally in order to maximise interest income and minimise interest expense, whilst ensuring the company has sufficient liquid resources to meet the operating needs of the business.

Interest rate risk

The company is exposed to interest rate risk on its variable rate bank overdraft facility and loan.

Foreign currency risk

The company's principal foreign currency exposures arise from purchases from European suppliers.

Credit risk

Investments of cash surpluses and borrowings are made through banks and companies which must fulfil credit rating criteria approved by the directors. Trade debtors are monitored on an ongoing basis and provision is made for doubtful debts where necessary.

Technology risk
The company is subject to risks relating to its ability to implement and maintain effective systems to process a high volume of transactions with customers. A failure to manage technology infrastructure and systems affect company performance. The company engages third party professionals to assist and advise with all aspects of technology including hardware, software and storage.

Brexit has had a relatively minimal impact on our business to date. In respect of access to EU and other foreign works for viticulture activity, we minimise the risk via continued use of mechanical picking and relationships with contractors. Lead times have increased on goods imported from Europe as have logistical complexities and therefore we have adopted a more strategic approach to our purchases rather than a “just in time” delivery method on key materials.

The company monitors progress across a range of financial targets. The main key performance indicators are:

                 2022     2021

£     £

Cash at bank              1,357,345     1,384,456

Total equity             4,768,622     3,813,943

Non financial key performance indicators:

                 2022     2021

MWh     MWh

PV power generation          29.1     16.6

The business will continue to maximise organic growth in all departments, and review all options for future opportunities and investment to expand current operations.

On behalf of the board

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.

The principal activity of the company continued to be the growing of grapes, and the production and the sale of wine. The company also provides tourism, retail and hospitality services.

The results for the year are set out on page 8.

No ordinary dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.

The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

The auditor, Carpenter Box, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

The company has chosen in accordance with Companies Act 2006, s. 414C(11) to set out in the company's strategic report information required by Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, Sch. 7 to be contained in the directors' report. It has done so in respect of financial instruments and the associated risks and future developments.

So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditor is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information.

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

•     select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

•     make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

•     state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

•     prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

We have audited the financial statements of Denbies Wine Estate Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2022 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the balance sheet, the statement of changes in equity and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

•     give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 December 2022 and of its profit for the year then ended;

•     have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

•     have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

• the information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

•     adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

•     the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

•     certain disclosures of remuneration specified by law are not made; or

•     we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:

• Obtaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the company operates in, focusing on those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the financial statements and operations;

• Obtaining an understanding of the company’s policies and procedures on fraud risks, including knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud

• Discussing among the engagement team how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud through our knowledge and understanding of the company and our sector-specific experience.

As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the company for fraud. We are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override. As a result of performing the above, we identified the following areas as those most likely to have an impact on the financial statements: health & safety, employment law and compliance with the UK Companies Act.

In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:

• Making enquiries of management about any known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud;

• Assessment of matters recorded on the company’s health & safety incident register;

• Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates, in particular in relation to stock valuations and depreciation; and

• Auditing the risk of management override of controls, including through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness.

Due to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that some material misstatements in the financial statements may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with the ISAs (UK). For instance, the further removed non-compliance is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the auditor is to become aware of it or to recognise the non-compliance.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

Denbies Wine Estate Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is London Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6AA.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in Sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £1.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

This company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements:

• Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;

• Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues'.

• Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.

The financial statements of the company are consolidated in the financial statements of Denbies Holdings Limited. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, Denbies Wine Estate, London Road, Dorking, Surrey, United Kingdom, RH5 6AA.

At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The directors have considered relevant information, including the company’s principal risks and uncertaintiestrue, the annual budget, forecasted future cash flows and the impact of subsequent events in making their assessment.  Based on these assessments and having regard to the resources available to the entity, the directors have concluded that there is no material uncertainty and that they can continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and financial statements.

Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.

Research and development expenditure is written off against profits in the year in which it is incurred. Identifiable development expenditure is capitalised to the extent that the technical, commercial and financial feasibility can be demonstrated.

Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Assets under the course of construction are only depreciated when brought into use.

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is credited or charged to profit or loss.

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition.

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include deposits held at call with banks.

The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost.

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans and loans from fellow group companies are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the company.

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leases asset are consumed.

Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.

A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.

Transactions in currencies other than pounds Sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.

In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.

Director's have estimated the valuation of stock by considering all costs involved in bringing the product to a saleable condition.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their estimated useful lives, on the bases set out in note 1.5.

An analysis of the company's turnover is as follows:

A government grant of £10,000 was received during the year, being restricted for use towards installation of solar panels. This project was fully completed before the end of the year.

The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 1 (2021 - 1).

The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

Amounts due under bank loans are secured against the company's assets.

Amounts due under bank loans are secured against the company's assets.

The bank loans are secured by fixed and floating charges over all assets and undertakings of the company, including all present and future freehold and leasehold property, book and other debts, chattels, goodwill and uncalled capital, both present and future.

Interest is charged at 2.3% per annum above base rate.

Freehold land and buildings were transferred to the parent, Denbies Holdings Limited, in a prior year and an unlimited multilateral guarantee was given by Denbies Holdings Limited in respect of these loans.

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the company and movements thereon:

The directors have considered the deferred tax liabilities noted above and concluded that it is not possible to state the estimated liabilities which will reverse in the next 12 months. This is due to the level of reversal being dependant on events which are not yet known.

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund.

The shares have attached to them full voting, dividend and capital distribution rights.

An overdraft facility of £100,000 has been provided by HSBC UK Bank plc. The amount due under this agreement has been secured by way of a cross guarantee with the parent company Denbies Holdings Limited. This was not renewed in January 2023 as the facility is no longer required.

The company has a debenture including Fixed Charge over all present freehold and leasehold property; First Fixed Charge over book and other debts, chattels, goodwill and uncalled capital, both present and future; and First Floating Charge over all assets and undertaking both present and future dated 17 December 2015.

At the reporting end date the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

The immediate parent company is Denbies Holdings Limited, a company registered in England. The registered office is Denbies Wine Estate, London Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6AA.

The ultimate controlling parties are the Trustees of The A E White 1977 Settlement Trust and the Trustees of The Anchorage Trust by virtue of the shares held in Denbies Holdings Limited.

The financial statements of the company are consolidated in the financial statements of Denbies Holdings Limited. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, Denbies Wine Estate, London Road, Dorking, Surrey, United Kingdom, RH5 6AA.