Despite the coronavirus crisis, work continues at Wraxall Vineyard near Shepton Mallet to make sure the wine keeps flowing during lockdown.

Being agricultural workers, owners Jacky Brayton and Brian Shirley continue to be hard at work and hope that local people will get in touch to order their finest creations.

Jacky said: "We are open to sell wine. If you are local we can take orders and payment by phone and leave wine for you to collect from the vineyard.

"If customers are further afield we arrange a courier to collect and deliver our wine. Wines can be seen on our website www.wraxallvineyard.co.uk.

"Orders can be made online but we are happy to take phone calls on 01749 860331 from customers who would like further information from us.

"In times of isolation it is good to remember a phone call makes you realise that there are still people out there."

Wraxall Vineyard was planted in 1972 by Tony Holmes. Tony was a dairy farmer from Cambridgeshire whose ambition had been to have a vineyard.

After a long search he found the perfect spot to plant a vineyard – Wraxall Hill. It is a well known saying that you can plant a vine anywhere but will it produce grapes?

The most important factor for growing grapes is a south facing hill with good drainage. Vines hate wet feet.

A variety of vines were planted in 1972 by hand. You allow four years in this country to let the vines produce grapes.

This gives the vines time to set down good roots. While the vines were establishing, Tony built the winery.

Poplar trees were planted on the south west perimeter to give shelter from westerly winds and a row of native trees were planted along the easterly perimeter.

The first wine was produced in 1976. By 1984 Wraxall Vineyard was the premier vineyard in the South West. Eventually, though, Tony had to give up the vineyard due to ill health.

Jacky and Brian bought Wraxall Vineyard in 2007, which was then derelict. Their original plan was to retire.

They had no knowledge of viticulture and, by their own admission, were in fact a couple of "townies".

Word got around that the vineyard had new owners and suggestions were made that it should be replanted.

After six months of living in Somerset and discovering the history of the vineyard, it was decided to replant.

With a great deal of help from the South West Vineyard Association, the vineyard was replanted in 2008.

During the intervening years a great deal of knowledge had been acquired as to what grape varieties would be suited for growing in the UK.

Also when the original vineyard was planted it was done by hand. In 2008 a machine was hired from Europe and their team came to Wraxall Vineyard and planted just under 5,000 vines in four hours.

Twelve years later Wraxall Vineyard produces three still wines, two whites, a rose and two sparkling wines.

Jacky said: "Our sparkling wines are made in the same method as Champagne and takes three years from harvest to pouring in a glass.

"We have won international awards for every sparkling wine we have produced. It is no wonder that French Champagne makers are buying land in the UK.

"It is quite possible that in 10 years' time the Champagne region of France will be too warm to grow quality grapes for making Champagne.

"After two warm summers 2018 and 2019 we decided to make a red wine from some of our Pinot Noir grapes. This is very exciting for us. We think this will be ready for drinking in a year or two.

"April is the time of year when you taste the previous year's vintage. Any day now we will know if that was a good decision.

"April in the vineyard is the most exciting time. Over the winter months all vines will have been pruned and we are just about to get leaf burst.

"Hidden in the first few leaves are tiny bunches of grapes and here we go again, 2020 vintage is on its way.

"We feel very lucky to live in such a beautiful place. Anyone who is a grower knows that each year brings different problems.

"This year is no exception. By now our tours and tastings would have started and our wines would be tasted and sold at various food fairs and from the vineyard.

"We are in lockdown as all of Somerset. As we are agricultural workers, work will carry on in the vineyard.

"Because of travel restrictions we hope that local people will discover how much amazing food and drink is made and grown locally and support businesses like us."