A TOURISM body is hoping to put mid Essex on the map after launching a campaign to promote its vineyards.

Visit Essex is hoping to highlight the region’s booming wine industry with members of the industry meeting at Great Bardfield Vineyard near Braintree to mark its recent successes.

Visit Essex say vineyards in Essex have expanded at phenomenal rates in recent years, and the East Anglia region now provides at least 10 per cent of English wine in Great Britain.

However, most wines are grown in Essex with at least 50 vineyards.

The area is perfect due to its dry sunny climes and a shared geology with the Champagne region of Northern France.

Latest figures reveal Essex is the second-largest producer of the Bacchus grape, fourth-largest producer of Pinot Noir, and fifth for Chardonnay.

Over the past few years, Essex wines have established themselves on a global stage with prestigious awards, from New Hall Vineyard, based in Purleigh near Maldon, picking up a Gold Medal at the Independent English Wine Awards for their 50th Anniversary 2018 Chardonnay, to Tuffon Hall in Castle Hedingham receiving a Gold Medal at the same awards for the last two years in a row.

Toppesfield Vineyard has also won a clutch of top awards. 

Wine GB also aims to put the Bacchus grape forward for its own special wine appellation, which would see our region become legally protected.

Mark Durham, chairman of Visit Essex, said: “Essex is predominantly a rural county, home to the finest food and farm shops, top eateries, such as the Michelin-starred Galvin Brothers’ Galvin Green Man, and of course we’re home to Tiptree Jam and their acres of strawberry farms, as well as our world-renowned oysters.

“We’re now also home to over 50 vineyards, which are providing some of the finest English wines, fast becoming the ‘still wine capital’ of the UK.”

He added: “Our vineyards are also opening their doors and becoming big business within the tourism market too. From wine tastings to events in the vines, as well as glamping retreats and luxury accommodation, they’re a wonderful asset and major attraction for people to visit Essex.”

Adding to the food and drink mix, an increasing number of distilleries and brewhouses are opening across the county, including the English Spirit Distillery in Great Yeldham.

To discover more, visit visitessex.com/food-and-drink.