A SLOE brandy grown and produced on a vineyard near Swindon has been voted the best in the UK, according to a luxury magazine survey.

Poulton Hill Vineyard’s Sloe de Vie was named LUX Product of the Year 2018 in its annual product competition.

The Estate, near the village of Down Ampney off the A419, was also named Best Family-run Vineyard in the South West in the same competition.

“We’re thrilled to have been voted product of the year by the readers of Lux Life,” said Poulton Hill Estate managing director Tiléri Charles-Jones.

“But rest assured you don’t have to be among the mega rich to enjoy our award-winning products. Sloe de Vie is available from us, in person or online, for a very affordable price."

The vineyard, which benefits clay soil, is gently sloping and south-facing, hand-picks all its grapes and sloes, despite taking more time, to ensure a higher quality product.

The prickly fruit was used to make197 bottles of the brandy, which took three days to pick by the two-person team.

Natalie Murphy, assistant manager of the estate, added: "They're a lot harder to pick than grapes, they have quite sharp thorns, but it was great fun.

"Quite a few people have seen the award and ordered one for Christmas."

The vineyard is a small producer established in 2010 which prides itself on taking a hands-on approach to managing the quality of the soil and fruit.

"We keep a close eye on everything that goes on in the vineyard, looking out for birds and wasps and even cracks in the soil," added Natalie.

Sloe de Vie – the name derives from the French colourless brandy eau de vie, or ‘water of life’ – is a clear liqueur distilled from sloes.

Each year LUX Life asks its readers to vote for their favourite products across a range of categories, including food and drink, hotels and resorts, health, jewellery, art, and technology.