A’Becketts Vineyard www.abecketts.co.uk Paul and Lynn Langham are the proud owners of a’Beckett’s Vineyard, established in 2001. Its located in the middle of Wiltshire not far from Devizes and ALL the vineyard products are vegan!!! Paul very kindly answered the following questions for Vegan Wiltshire.

Where does the name a’Becketts come from?

An old traditional Wiltshire name, nothing to do with an Archbishop who was actually called Thomas Beckett but the 12th century media misquoted his name, now where have a heard that one before.

You’re located in Littleton Panell on a former fruit farm- what made you choose this spot?

Over 40 years of successful fruit farming told us that the location must be good, the soil is also perfect and the site drains rapidly which is great for vines as they do not like wet feet

How did you choose the vines you planted?

We wanted a range of vines that permitted us to make white, red, rosé and sparkling wines

Were your 600 apple trees already on site when you started?

Yes they are between 40 and 15 years old

Why did you decide to apply (successfully) for the vegan symbol for your wines?

We did not intend producing a vegan wine, we simply looked at the risks in the wine making process and saw that fining agents are man made and beyond our control so we worked a way round. Our winemaker then told us we had a vegan wine so we thought let’s see if it makes a difference to customers. Nearly all people we speak to including some Vegan’s do not realise that fining agents come into contact with wine.

Is your apple juice and cider also vegan?

It is

Where can people buy your products?

Online, at the vineyard, at a range of stockists in Wiltshire, Dorset, Oxfordshire, London, Cheshire and Lincolnshire, check our website for details

Are any members of your staff vegetarian or vegan?

We happily eat veggie or vegan, food provenance is everything to us, know where it has come from and know how it was processed but we are not vegans.

You produce red, white, rose and sparkling wines- which is your personal favourite?

Our red wine great for relaxing in a comfy chair or with one of my favourite dishes but I can’t mention that to you!

Are there any other comments you’d like to make?

Whatever you eat know where it came from and what happened to it to get onto your plate, don’t go nuts checking this out simply shop locally, any quality food producer will answer your questions.