WINE lovers are putting the Ribble Valley alongside Burgundy and Champagne on their lists of places to visit, as the region is becoming renowned for some of the best wine merchants in the country.

Both D Byrne & Co in Clitheroe and Whalley Wine Shop are regularly visited by customers from all over the UK and beyond.

Andrew Byrne of D Byrne & Co in King Street, Clitheroe said: “We were once on a television programme called Vintners’ Tales and it was sold worldwide.

“Because of that, we’ve had visitors from all over the world, particularly from Australia.

“We have over four thousand wines and two thousand spirits so people really do make a beeline for us because they know they can’t get it anywhere else.”

The family-run business has been in Clitheroe for over 130 years and was this week awarded North West Wine Merchant of the Year.

“We are very pleased to have won it. We have won it before so it’s nice to keep hold of the title.”

Byrne’s was one of two wine merchants recommended by the Guardian’s wine critic Fiona Beckett earlier in the month.

Also lauded was Whalley Wine Shop, in King Street, which was a Threshers off-licence until manager Tom Jones decided to buy the licence and set up as an independent.

It was awarded ‘Independent Drinks Retailer of The Year’ last year and Tom, 27, believes the Ribble Valley should be proud of its growing reputation.

“The North West has great food and great wine and the Ribble Valley is an example of that.

“It’s got a ‘foodie’ vibe and we are lucky to have independent delis, bakeries and restaurants and people that care a lot about getting the best produce available.

“We have seen a lot more people visiting from further afield. We are seeing customers from Leicester, Manchester and Poulton.

“A lot of the time, big cities just don’t have an independent wine specialist and so wine lovers have to travel to get the wine they want We have built an award-winning reputation and people know we’re worth the journey.”