A CONWY vineyard has been awarded the best local drink in Wales at the ‘rural Oscars’.

Gwinllan Conwy won the local food and drink category of the Countryside Alliance Awards, which celebrate the best produce, pubs and village shops across the UK.

The vineyard was planted by Colin and Charlotte Bennett in Bryn Pydew, near Llandudno Junction in 2012 and has since grown to 3,000 vines over three acres.

The couple initially planted cool climate varieties, however due to hotter weather in recent years, more traditional varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay have been produced there.

"Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard not only produces award winning Welsh wine but tells the story to the rest of the world," the judges said.

"Vineyard tours have brought significant contributions to the local economy being one of North Wales’s best tourism stories.

"Not only content with creating their own wine, they have gone on to inspire and coach other vineyard owners across North Wales, strengthening the tourism industry and creating opportunities for others."

The business was nominated for the national awards by Aberconwy MS, Janet Finch-Saunders due to its contribution to the local economy.

“I have been thrilled to see Gwinllan Conwy continue to grow from strength to strength over these past few years, with their innovation and willingness to push boundaries certainly paying dividends," she said.

Other award winners include Raglan Farm Park in Monmouthshire, Craft Baa pub in the Lake District and Little Wold Vineyard in Yorkshire.