A new taproom at a winery in the Garden of England will give wine-lovers the chance to sample right where the drinks are crafted.

After successfully beginning to sell from the cellar door in April, now Mereworth Wines, which is based near Maidstone, plans to allow visitors to taste their creations at the heart of the winery.

Guests will be able to book online for a seat in the taproom for tastings and other planned special events, and there will also be room for walk-ins at outside and inside tables.

The decision to open the new venue comes as the wine industry is tipped to play a crucial role in the economic rebuilding post-pandemic.

"We talk to so many of our visitors who have started buying from local producers such as ourselves over the last year, and now that they have discovered the fantastic food and drinks grown and made on their doorstep, they haven't turned back", owner Will Boscawen said.

"English wine in particular, although growing in popularity each year, has been a new discovery for many.

"Now we have the opportunity to welcome visitors inside to enjoy our drinks in an authentic winery environment.

"It's a privilege to be able to introduce our wines to our guests on a very personal basis and for them to get to know the team and the work we put into winemaking and vineyard management."

Mr Boscawen established the new business when he decided to turn what had been his father's farm into vineyards, leaving behind a career in finance in Hong Kong to plant the first vines in 2016.

Last autumn the firm celebrated its first full harvest, which saw around 10 tonnes of grapes a day moved from the vineyards in Wateringbury to the winery a mile away at Brewers Hall Oast in Mereworth during the four-day harvest.

As well as announcing the plans to open the taproom, Mereworth Wines has also revealed details of two new sparkling wines being added to their range of produce.

First there is the 2018 White From White, made exclusively from their Chardonnay grapes, and then there is the 2019 Sparkling Rosé made from a blend of their Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes.

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