A NEW gastro-destination dubbed 'wine heaven' has opened just 15 minutes from Dursley.

Vinotopia's Wine Barn on the Nailsworth Mills Estate off the Avening Road in Nailsworth offers more than 400 varieties of specialist wines, spirits and cigars from across the world plus indoor and outdoor seating to relaxing with a tipple.

Tasting events are planned with specialist wine and spirit suppliers plus festival-style pop-up dining dates with artisan food trucks.

The news has caused excitement on social media with customers dubbing the venue 'wine heaven'.

Also in the pipeline is an artisan food hall due to open later this year with produce designed to pair with wines on offer.

It all follows the huge success of the Vinotopia Wine Box.

Vinotopia managing director Andy Cole said: "We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have grown such a wonderful, dedicated client base over the past few years since launching our quirky Wine Box home, and – as a result – with this fantastic new space, we’ll be able to extend our offering ever-further.

“We very much wanted to launch an attractive gastro-destination that not only enabled people to come along to discover wines and spirits they had never ever heard of but in an environment that they could actually sit amongst and enjoy the fruits of their discovery.

"With our wonderful indoor cosy seating and al fresco bistro tables alongside the River Frome, we very feel as though we’ve hit the nail on the head!”

The venue itself has floor to ceiling windows, a wood panelled interior, ambient lighting and a roaring log burner surrounded by chesterfield seating.

Customers can also 'try before they buy’ using a Enomatic Wine Dispenser machine or simply sit back and enjoy a glass or two.

The venue specialises in sustainable and organic wines with local varieties including Bauget Jouette Champagne, Figuiere Provence Rosés and Hundred Hills Preamble Sparkling Wine.

There is also a refill station for Sapling gin and vodka - a UK-based sustainable spirit producer which plants a tree for every bottle sold.

See vinotopiawine.co.uk