THE Three Choirs Vineyard near Newent is raising a glass to further success, after being named in a World Wine Week list as one of the top five vineyards in the UK, for 2018.

The local vineyard is no stranger to accolades, being called "England's answer to the Napa Valley" by one critic and making it to the number two position recently, in a list of the world's greatest vineyards to visit.

But the latest accolade is another welcome feather in the thriving vineyard's cap.

Thomas Shaw, the vineyard's managing director said: "We try to do what we do well. Our range is very good: our sparkling wines and still whites are very good, and our reds are starting to win awards."

He said of the latest accolade: "It all helps to remind people locally that we are here."

The five UK vineyards on the World Vine Week list include Denbies in Surrey; Chapel Down in Kent; Ryedale in Yorkshire; Camel Valley in Cornwall and The Three Choirs, the list being provided by the judges "in no particular order".

The Three Choirs was praised not only for the quality of its wines but for the social aspects of the business.

The citation reads: "Its eleven wines range from oak aged reds to a summer rosé and have received a whole host of awards. By their very nature, vineyards are stunning places to host any event, but Three Choirs is cut above. Take your vows amongst the vines; celebrate in with up 150 people in The Old Winery and say I do in a romantic wooden gazebo.

"At Three Choirs, weddings are not the only events taking place. Throughout the year, their abundance of space is used by companies such as Pop Up Opera to host a variety of events. Accompanied by a selection of fine wine, take in some highbrow culture in an unusual setting."

A spokesman for World Wine Week said: "We are all about encouraging and inspiring the UK to experiment, discover and explore the vast world of wine."