Multiple awards were received by food and drink producers from the south west at the National Trust’s annual Fine Farm Produce Awards, presented yesterday (1 August) at Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace.

Now in their 14th year, the awards celebrate the very best produce from the Trust’s 1,500 tenant farmers and estates, who between them look after more than 500,000 acres of farmland in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As well as being judged for taste, products are assessed against a range of environmental standards to guarantee their quality and origin.

Barrington Court, a Tudor estate near Ilminster, Somerset, was the winner of the Overall Drinks Award for its traditional craft cider. 

Orchards at the estate date back to the 19th century. Its medium dry cider was given the overall title amid strong competition from other cider and apple juice producers, gaining the highest overall score. 

Made using a 200-year old cider press, the drink is amber coloured and slightly cloudy in appearance, with fine bubbles. It scored well for its honeycomb scent and characterful smoky caramel taste, which leaves an aftertaste of butterscotch.

Barrington Court’s ten acres of orchards are home to 140 types of apple, including ancient heritage varieties and fruit trees planted by Ian Lyle, whose family firm became Tate & Lyle, in the 1940s. Tom Putt, Beauty of Bath and Kingsdon Black are just three of the unusually-named varieties grown.

The successful apple and cider project is overseen by pommelier Rachel Brewer and created with the help of passionate locals, staff and volunteers. 

South Somerset lead ranger Mark Musgrove said: “Producing an award-winning cider takes a whole team of people – from our rangers who manage the traditional orchards and gardeners who tend the trees in formal areas, to our staff who organise events for the public and sell the products, and our brilliant volunteers who help plant, harvest and press the apples.”

The orchards are important too for wildlife, providing a habitat for species including mistle thrush, noble chafer beetle and pyramidal orchid.

Other winners from the south west

Burrow Farm, Exeter – Red Ruby Devon Beef Rump Steak

Clyston Mill, Exeter – Wholemeal Stoneground Flour

Coleshill Organics, Swindon – Small Organic Veg Box

Conygree Farm, Cheltenham – Cotswold Hogget Shoulder, Cotswold Mutton Leg

Handmade Exmoor, Minehead – Exmoor Heritage Wool, Exmoor Tweed

Killerton Estate, Devon – Sparkling Cider, Apple Juice, Still Medium Dry Cider

Martinsfield Farm Enterprise LLP, Exeter – Lamb Half Leg Joint

The Free Range Dairy, Carvannal Farm, Cornwall – Clotted Cream, Natural Yoghurt, Milk