Wine Man Sells Up
 Entrepreneur Chris Ellis, creator of the country’s fastest-growing wine brand Kumala, is selling his upmarket restaurant in Wiltshire to devote more time to building his new wine shipping business.
Chris, 47, who created Kumala in 1993 and sold his shares in the company in 2001, is selling The Windmill near Hungerford to concentrate on his new venture Crush Wines.
He took over the former pub in 2001 and completely refurbished the property. It now makes up a golden triangle of top eating places in the area including Marco Pierre White’s Yew Tree at Highclere and Antony Worrall Thompson’s Angel Coaching Inn at Heytesbury.
The Windmill is run almost entirely by staff with a modest input from Chris, so a prospective buyer would be able to make his or her own mark on the business.
“I could see it appealing to a top chef or restaurateur working in London who wants to up sticks and open his own landmark restaurant in this lovely part of the world,” says father of three Chris.
“We’ve had an amazing four years here and have loved every minute. I like to think the business reflects my passion for good food and wine. It’s at the top end of the market and looks great,
“I’m really sad to be giving it up, but there just aren’t enough hours in the day to keep an eye on it. But it would be just the place for someone who wants to buy into country life –there’s fabulous shooting and fishing around here – and make his name running his own restaurant.”
The freehold property in the hamlet of Marten has a lounge bar, a 45-seat dining room, and a stunning new terrace with views of the famous local landmark, The Windmill.
The property, which is being sold through commercial agents Colliers Robert Barry, has about an acre of land, a three-bedroom flat with large kitchen/diner, plus a bungalow.
The average spend per head for dinner is around £60 with high gross profit of around 70%.
The Windmill is being sold through Colliers Robert Barry’s Cirencester office for £595,000.
For further information contact Simon Wells on 01285 852852 or email: simon.wells@colliersrobertbarry.co.uk or visit www.colliersrobertbarry.co.uk
Crush Wines, which operates from a 12th century former vicarage at Bremhill in Wiltshire, specialises in wines from the lesser-known areas of Spain, Italy and Australia.
Kumala was acquired by Vincor in August 2004 and is now the 5th best-selling wine brand in the country – and the fasting-growing at 27.9 per cent a year.
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