Another major Kent winemaker has announced it is considering a sale - just weeks after Chapel Down announced it was open to offers.

The majority shareholder in Gusbourne, which has 60 acres of vineyards in Appledore, has revealed he wants to “explore various strategic options for his shareholding, including a possible sale”.

Businessman and former deputy chair of the Conservative Party, Lord Ashcroft, owns some 66.76% of the winemaker after splashing out £7million for the stake in 2013.

But now he has made it clear it wants to open discussions with the board at Gusbourne which could also include a strategic merger with a similar company.

Lord Ashcroft, who is said to have a personal fortune of over £1 billion, said: “Now at the tender age of 78 I am reviewing my future options.

“I have an interest in 40,628,009 shares representing 66.76% of the issued share capital of Gusbourne. In addition, a company 100% owned by me holds a £20m long-term secured deep discount bond.

“I am flexible as to the outcome. It may be a sale. It may be a strategic merger with a similar company. It may be a capitalisation or restructuring of all or part of my debt.”

However, the company, which is listed on AIM - the Alternative Investment Market - says at this early stage “there can be no certainty” any of the shares will be sold or any deals struck. No discussions have yet started, it is understood.

The winemaker has now entered what is known as an “offer period”.

Should one buyer seek to acquire all of his stake, it would trigger the requirement for a mandatory offer for the remainder of the shares in the firm.

Jonathan White, Gusbourne's CEO, added: “Gusbourne has established itself as one of the UK’s most significant fine wine producers and has an exciting strategy for future global growth.

“We look forward to entering into constructive discussions which may arise from this process, at what is an exciting phase for the fast-growing English fine market. We would like to thank Lord Ashcroft for his support in helping establish Gusbourne into the business it is today.”

Last month, Tenterden-based Chapel Down announced it was considering its options - including a potential sale - as a means to liberating capital to fund its ambitious growth plans.