The Vineyard in Berkshire sold to Apex Hotels after 26 years of family ownership

The Vineyard in Berkshire is being sold to Apex Hotels after 26 years of ownership under Sir Peter Michael and his family.

The five-AA-star hotel near Newbury, West Berkshire, opened in 1998 and became famed for its firm ties to the wine trade.

It boasts a cellar of 30,000 bottles and 3,000 bins, works with the family’s Peter Michael Winery in California and has a history of employing prominent sommeliers, including Romain Bourger, a recipient of the Wine and Spirit Ambassador award at the 2023 Cateys.

Two generations of Sir Peter’s family have invested in the Michelin Key-winning hotel, which launched a tasting menu restaurant under executive chef Tom Scade last year.

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.

Managing director Andrew McKenzie, who has run the hotel since it opened under the Michael family’s ownership 26 years ago, will continue to operate Donnington Valley Hotel, the Post Barn, the Kingfisher Riverside pub and rooms, Donnington Valley Golf Club, Deanwood Park Golf Club, the Bunker Golf Lounge and the Vineyard Cellars.

The family-owned, Edinburgh-based Apex Hotels will take over the Vineyard in a move that will bolster its portfolio of country house hotels.

Apex Hotels now has a total of three country house properties, following the recent purchase of the Pine Trees in Pitlochry and Meldrum House Country Hotel and Golf Course in Aberdeenshire.

The group, which was founded in 1996 by owner Norman Springfield, has 11 hotels across the UK, eight of which are based in city-centres.

Sir Peter Michael said: “My wife Maggie and I wanted a local Michelin star style of restaurant and there was nothing in the area offering this so ‘the Vineyard at Stockcross’ was born. We look forward to continuing to enjoy this special place under new ownership and wish Apex Hotels and the Springford family as much joy and success as we have witnessed over many years.”

McKenzie added: “The family and I have lived and breathed the Vineyard for over 26 years so this will be a huge wrench.

"We will miss our many regular guests but even more so our fantastic team. What is reassuring is it is going to a good home; I have known Norman for many years and the fact that he and his leadership group have a great reputation for running excellent hotels and, more importantly, looking after their teams, gives us great comfort.”

The sale comes after Apex Hotels secured a £60m refinancing package in August 2023 to support its expansion into rural locations.

Angela Vickers, chief executive of Apex Hotels, said: “We have huge respect for what Sir Peter Michael and his family have achieved at the Vineyard over the years and, as a family business ourselves, we recognise the dedication, hard work and passion that goes into creating a first-class venue such as this.

"We look forward to taking on the reigns of this fantastic hotel and wish Sir Peter and his team all the best for the future.” 

Colliers acted on behalf of Sir Peter and his family.

The sale is due to complete in mid-November.