Vineyard scoops county-wide business challenge prize

A Welwyn vineyard scooped prizes worth more than £12,000 after wowing a Dragons’ Den-style panel at the Hertfordshire County Show.

Lokkelebery Vineyard won the prize package, including video production, marketing support and legal advice, in the Lord-Lieutenant’s Entrepreneurs Challenge.

Second place went to Sunnyside Rural Trust, a Berkhamstedbased charity that helps adults with learning disabilities.

The competition was supported by Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, which awarded free bronze membership to all 10 finalists.

Chamber CEO Donna Schultz said: “Lokkelebery Vineyard is a truly worthy winner. It’s a marvellous location and it really is just like going to a winery in the south of France, but right here in the middle of Hertfordshire.

“Congratulations also to Sunnyside Rural Trust and to all the other finalists. They all did so well and we will be proud to welcome each one of them as Chamber members.

“We were delighted to see such a good turnout during the show. We had a constant stream of visitors to our stand, and it was great to have so many people come and say hello.

“For the businesses, it was a superb time – with tens of thousands of visitors being exposed to what they have to offer.”

During the challenge at the County Showground in Redbourn, each of the 10 finalists had to give a three-minute presentation to the judging panel of business leaders, then have an interview with legendary former BBC presenter Stuart Storey.

The prizes were presented by Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE, CStJ.

In addition to Chamber membership, the 10 finalists will be invited to join the University of Hertfordshire’s incubator hub for a year.