THE first stage in the construction of a new wine-tasting centre in north Essex was celebrated yesterday.

Coggeshall’s West Street Vineyard is opening a custom-built barn where visitors will be able to learn about and sample locally-made wines.

Due to open next spring, it will also include a caf�, an automated wine- tasting wall showcasing 20 wines from East Anglia and the UK – including West Street’s own award-winning varieties – a restaurant and lecture rooms.

The eco-friendly timber building was manufactured in Germany and designed by British architects Snell David.

The boutique micro-vineyard was purchased by Jane and Stephen Mohan in 2009, who expanded the site from 800 vines to cover almost half of their 5.5-acre estate.

It is hoped the new building will become a centre for English wine tourism and a popular visitor attraction for Essex.

Mrs Mohan said: “It was our ambition to provide visitors with an environment in which to relax, learn about and taste the variety and complexity of English wines with their friends and families.

“English wines are special and over the last few years have become world-beaters, yet few of us have had the opportunity to try them – it is now our plan to change this.”