A VINEYARD at Northlew has received a commendation at the Devon Tourism Awards.

Eastcott Vineyard has received a commendation in the tourism activity, sport and experience of the year category. The commendation is the first time that the vineyard, run by Hilary and Richard Waller, has received recognition at the awards. Hilary and Richard won the award for their guided tours of the vineyard and winery.

The couple conduct the tours themselves, and give visitors the chance to hear about every stage of wine production, as it is all carried out on-site.

Hilary received the award from BBC Radio Devon's Judi Spiers at the awards ceremony at Saunton Sands. The award organisers also gave all the gold medal winners a bottle of Eastcott's sparkling wine.

Hilary Waller said: 'It's fantastic to have received this award. We are only a small husband and wife operation, and it is the first time we have entered ourselves into the awards.

'When we started we didn't plan on holding tours, but since we started doing it is has just grown and grown.

'Lots of people said to us they wanted to see how a vineyard works and see what we do here, and it has become a significant thing for us now, particularly in the summer.

'It has just grown into being quite an important thing, now. We just moved down here to make wine, and now we do these tours do, but it is wonderful to hear such good feedback from people.

'As well as promoting our business, it is encouraging to see that people in the industry see what we are doing and rate it so highly, and good to see the interest in general.'