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A WINEMAKER who won a £60,000 investment on Dragons’ Den has died three months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Entrepreneur Geoff Bowen secured the cash after impressing Duncan Bannatyne on the hit BBC Two show.

 Winemaker Geoff Bowen, who secured £60,000 from Dragon's Den, has died of a brain tumour
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Winemaker Geoff Bowen, who secured £60,000 from Dragon's Den, has died of a brain tumourCredit: SWNS Group

He used it to expand his Pebblebed Vineyard business.

Geoff's wife Anna and their daughters Martha, 19 and Jessie, 17, have now paid a heartfelt tribute to him after he passed away in the early hours of last Saturday morning,at Exeter Hospiscare.

They said: "We are devastated that Geoff has left us years before he should have done.

"We will be forever thankful for his infectious love, generosity, passion, excitement, enthusiasm and joy of life and living, and also for the loving security he gave to us as a family.

 Geoff pictured with daughters Martha and Jessie as well as wife Anna shortly after appearing on the show in 2011
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Geoff pictured with daughters Martha and Jessie as well as wife Anna shortly after appearing on the show in 2011Credit: SWNS Group
 Geoff thanks Dragon Bannatyne after securing £60,000 of his investment
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Geoff thanks Dragon Bannatyne after securing £60,000 of his investmentCredit: BBC TWO

"He is irreplaceable and we will miss and love him forever."

Geoff, from Topsham, Devon established Pebblebed Vineyard as a community project in 1999.

It began with just a few vines on land belonging to a friend.

He secured the investment from tycoon Bannatyne in 2011.

It has now grown to be the largest commercial vineyard in the South West covering 25 acres, producing white red and rose wines as well as sparkling varieties.

Upwards of 40,000 bottles are produced there a year.

He was diagnosed with grade four glioblastoma in October.


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