a'Beckett's Vineyard

Fine English Wine, Cider and Apple Juice from Wiltshire

Cider

When we planted the vineyard we also inherited 600 apple trees as a'Beckett's was well known for producing apples for sale locally and also at Bristol Market.  The trees were rather neglected and we have carefully run a minimal pruning program to help the trees back into production. Initially we thought we could sell apples to local stores and visitors, what we did not bank on was firstly the volume and secondly that people don't like spotty apples anymore.  The market for apples has been shaped by the major supermarkets, perfection and shape are the drivers, taste seems to be a lesser requirement. So in 2007 we worked with a local farmer to make a barrel of Scrumpy and it sold really well, emboldened by this we set out to make more for 2008 and Barnstorming was created and we fermented it with Champagne yeast and the brand Wiltshire Cider was born. Cider Orchard Finally we have one, we have planted 10 Kingston Black and 10 Yarlington Mill, they will take a few years to get going but we are delighted to be able to say in a few years we will have our own supply of cider apples. We have also added some Taylors Seedlings and Tremletts Bitter, these are larger trees "rescued" from the now sadly closed Scotts of Merriott nursery. Perry Orchard As part of the Scotts of Merriott acquisition we have just planted 39 perry trees of the following varieties Gin Butt Green Horse Red Pear Moorcroft Old Home Oldfield Messere Jean Brandy Sweet Huffcap What names, nearly all are standard trees with a few half standards and we have put a John Downie crab apple in the middle to aid polination.  As the trees are around 8ft tall we hope they will settle in and in a few year commence cropping. Barnstorming is available from our online shop, selected stockists and via our online shop price at £2.00 a 500ml bottle.