The Great British Food Awards, one of the UK’s most prestigious celebrations of artisanal food and drink, has revealed its 2025 winners, and a host of exceptional Welsh producers have been recognised with top honours.
In total, eight Welsh companies have secured eleven awards, including three Gold, three Silver, and four Bronze, across categories ranging from charcuterie, wine and spirits to biscuits and dairy. Judged by some of the UK’s most acclaimed chefs, critics, and industry figures, the awards shine a spotlight on the very best of British produce.
Leading the celebrations was Velfrey Vineyard, who were named as the ‘Regional Winner for Wales’. In addition, their Velfrey NV traditional method sparkling wine also took a bronze award – the first time a Welsh Geographical Indication (GI) product has received this honour. The wine impressed judges with its “elegant, expressive character” and strong sustainability credentials.
Located near Narberth in Pembrokeshire, the family-run vineyard was founded in 2016 by Andy and Fiona Mounsey. Commenting on the award, co-founder Fiona Mounsey, said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to be named Regional Winner for Wales. Our goal has always been to produce the highest quality wine from clean, Welsh-grown grapes while caring for this beautiful corner of Pembrokeshire.
“To have our sustainability efforts and craftsmanship recognised in such a prestigious competition is incredibly rewarding. With so many outstanding producers across Wales, it’s a real honour to be singled out, it makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
Among the eight Welsh winners were:
- Velfrey Vineyard – Regional Winner for Wales and Bronze for their Velfrey Non-Vintage Welsh Sparkling Wine
- Edwards – The Welsh Butcher – Gold for their Pork and Leek Sausages; Bronze for their Black Pudding Slices
- Dyfi Distillery – Silver for their Pollination Dovey Native Botanical Gin PGI
- Aberffraw Biscuit Company – Gold for their Bara Brith Biscuits; Silver for their Traditional Aberffraw Biscuits
- Golden Hooves – Gold for their Vintage Cheddar
- Castle Dairies – Bronze for their Halen Môn Salted Butter
- Anglesey Foods – Bronze for their Cowboy Chutney
- Carmarthen Ham – Silver for their Carmarthen Ham PGI
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “The success of Welsh producers at the Great British Food Awards 2025 is a powerful endorsement of the quality, creativity, and commitment that define our food and drink industry. From sparkling wine and botanical gin to traditional biscuits, chutneys, and PGI certified meats, these awards showcase the incredible diversity and excellence of Welsh produce.
“I warmly congratulate Velfrey Vineyard on their achievement as Regional Winner for Wales, and extend my sincere congratulations to all other winning companies. Their success puts Wales firmly on the map as a nation of world-class producers, and reflects the strength and potential of our growing food and drink industry.”
This recognition follows the recent Welsh Government Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2025 food and drink trade event, where many of these producers showcased their award-winning products to international buyers and industry leaders, further boosting the global profile of Welsh food and drink.
Wales is now home to 56 registered vineyards and 3 wineries, with more than 93 hectares of land under vine. In 2023 alone, Welsh producers crafted approximately 178,000 bottles of wine, including 111,500 bottles of white and 66,500 bottles of red and rosé wines.”
The upcoming Welsh Wine Awards, taking place at the end of November, will offer another celebration of the achievements of producers like Velfrey and continue to raise the profile of Welsh viticulture on the national stage.
