Sam Lindo nominated for IWC Sparkling winemaker of the year

Sam Lindo, from Camel Valley Wines in Cornwall, is one of only three winemakers in the world to be nominated for the International Sparkling Winemaker of the Year - the other two in the competition being French champagne makers.

It is not the first time Camel valley has been nominated and Sam has won UK winemaker of the year 3 times already but it is the first time in the history of English wine, that an English winemaker has made this shortlist.

Sam said: “This award is like the Oscars. Just to be shortlisted is fantastic. It will put our vineyard on the map. One of the two champagne makers shortlisted for the award, Charles Heidsieck has already won it a few times. “To knock him off his perch would be quite a coup. For an English wine to beat French champagne houses would definitely cause quite a stir.”

The award will be announced at the International Wine Challenge 2014 Awards Dinner on 16 July at the Grosvenor House Hotel.