A WINE connoisseur has joined a Dorset wine estate's club.

The Furleigh Estate at Salway Ash near Bridport is thrilled that Victoria Bishop has agreed to bring her wealth of wine industry experience to drive forward its business.

Initially Victoria will be looking after the increasingly popular Furleigh Estate Wine Club which meets throughout the year in the Tasting Room at the Furleigh vineyard.

Victoria spent 20 years in the wine trade. After setting up the generic office to promote New Zealand wines, she then ran her own PR and marketing agency whose clients included Veuve Clicquot champagne, Chapel Down wines, Kent and Hunter’s Wines from New Zealand.

Victoria moved to Bridport three years ago to build a house and while it was taking shape she noticed a number of premium quality sparkling wine producers in the area, notably the Furleigh Estate, which prompted her desire to return to the wine industry.

Rebecca Hansford, owner of Furleigh Estate said: "We are delighted that Victoria has joined us at this point in our development. The Wine Club is an increasingly important part of our activities and we are keen to welcome new members all the way along the Jurassic coast from Old Harry Rocks on Purbeck to the Geoneedle at Orcombe Point.’”

Wine Club activities for 2018 will encompass a wide range of events from wine and cheese pairing with international cheese expert Juliet Harbutt, to Nordic walking in the vineyard, wine themed film and quiz evenings, plus the annual “Get Your Hands Dirty” Harvest Lunch.

For more information on the Furleigh Estate Wine Club, contact info@furleighestate.co.uk