Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, went a tour of the newly expanded winery and wine tasting centre at Halfpenny Green Vineyards, near Bobbington, on Friday.
The site, one of the largest vineyards in the country, marks 2014 as a ‘big year’ for wine production by doubling its wine making capacity with a new winery and introducing a purpose-built wine tasting centre to host groups and corporate hire.
Gavin took a tour of the vineyards, winery and new buildings with owners Clive and Lisa Vickers. The husband and wife team showed him the major developments that had been made to the business over the past year, in order to increase Halfpenny Green Vineyards’ role as a major tourist destination within the region and support its important position within the local economy.
The MP was then invited to try some of the award-winning wine produced on site by the team at the winery.
Clive Vickers’ family has owned and managed the vineyard since it was planted 30 years ago by his father, Martin.
Clive said: “We were very pleased to have Gavin come and visit the vineyards and see the new areas of the business, of which we are very proud. Last year saw a bumper crop and so the newly expanded winery - which has doubled it in size to 10,000 square feet - couldn’t have come at a better time.”
The new Wine House, adjacent to the winery, has all the facilities required for private and corporate hire, such as vineyard tour groups and wine tastings.
It also offers people a chance to see the work which goes on in the busy winery via a superb viewing area.
Gavin said: "I very much enjoyed going on a tour of the Halfpenny Green Vineyards and, of course, sampling some of its award winning wine. It is always wonderful to see such an important local businesses expand and I am sure both the larger winery and new wine tasting centre will prove a tremendous success.”