A COUPLE who started their own vineyard in the South Downs have won a national award for their home-made bubbly.

Donna and David Line, of Maryhill Lane, Droxford, have run Poppydown Vineyards from a caravan for four years and are finally reaping the benefits with a medal at the London Sommelier Wine Awards.

Their 2012 vintage elderflower sparkling wine won a bronze medal in the country wines category.

They hope to enter their other sparkling wines, including rosé, chardonnay and rhubarb, in next year’s awards.

The couple moved to Droxford in 2007 and harvested their first grapes in 2010. They have been living in a caravan while they build a new house on the 16-acre site, which they previously used to rear alpacas, pigs and turkeys.

Donna Line said: “We always wanted to live on our land and we’ve turned it into a really good business. The village has been very supportive.

“We’ve got our wine into some big hotels and wine merchants. In future we’d like to do a lot more events up here, and wine tastings.”