Bexhill wine tour business triumphs at tourism awards contest

Vine & Country Tours won Gold in the New Tourism Business category.

Owned and run by Jamie Thompson and Steph Jones, Vine & Country Tours is in its third year of offering English wine and food tours of Kent and Sussex. The couple works with more than 30 private vineyard and brewery partners across Kent and Sussex and offer home wine tastings or private wine and dine events.

Jamie said: “We’re ecstatic, and a little bit stunned, to have won gold at the Visit England Awards of Excellence 2020. We followed our passion and vision three years ago to create Vine & Country and to be recognised among some of the best tourism businesses in the UK is so very humbling.

“We are very proud to represent this beautiful area of the country that we love and want to share, and to be named Best New Tourism Business is an absolute honour - we can’t wait to welcome many more visitors to our luxury tours to experience the flavours and hidden gems here in the wonderful south east countryside.”

Swallowtail Hill, in Beckley, won Silver award in the Camping, Glamping and Holiday Parks category (See page 16). Kevin Boorman, manager of the 1066 Country Marketing Partnership, said: “We pride ourselves on the quality of our offer here in 1066 Country, and these two fabulous businesses have done a huge amount to put 1066 Country on the national map. Not only have they been rewarded for the quality of their offer but also for their sheer resilience during arguably the most difficult trading conditions that tourism businesses have ever had to face. Both are fantastic ambassadors for 1066 Country as a visitor destination and our team congratulates them on this remarkable achievement.”

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