Our Story
Neal Shipp founded Celtic Country Wines at The Winery in Henllan in 1989. Thirty-seven years on, the family still makes every fruit wine, liqueur and preserve on the same site in the Teifi valley.
Ein stori
A Winery Built on Welsh Hedgerows
Neal started with small batches of homemade fruit wine on the family smallholding. Fruit wines are true wines, fermented from the fruit itself rather than flavoured grape wine, and the range grew from elderflower, sloe and gooseberry to mead, sparkling wines, liqueurs and preserves.
We ferment in 1,000-litre vessels in a temperature-regulated room, four at a time, then rest each wine for six months to mellow. Fresh elderflowers come from the hedgerows on our doorstep. Everything is made without animal-derived fining, so nearly every bottle is vegan-friendly (mead, made with honey, is the exception). Today Andrew Falconer leads production while Richard Shipp runs the business.
Recognition
Awards and appearances we are proud of. Nothing listed here is claimed beyond what the winery has earned.
Great Taste Awards
Three gold stars for the Sloe Gin in 2008, placing it among the top 73 products in the UK that year and the top sloe gin in the country. Medieval Mead followed with a Great Taste award in 2021.
Welsh True Taste
Awards for our Ginger Wine, Raspberry Wine, Sloe Gin, Cherry Brandy Liqueur, Damson Liqueur and Welsh Elderport.
Great British Menu
Celteg products featured on the BBC series in two consecutive years, and in Bryn Williams's cookery programme.
The Royle Family
A Celteg appearance in the BBC comedy's Christmas special.
One Site, Three Welcomes
The winery shop, The Leeky Barrel bistro and Bedwen Plants nursery all share the Henllan site.
Celteg Winery and Shop
Wines, liqueurs, preserves and hampers, in person or delivered.
The Leeky Barrel Bistro
Sit-down Welsh lunches, Sunday roasts, cake and coffee. Licensed and dog-friendly.
Bedwen Plants
Darren's nursery and garden centre for flavour-first edibles and seasonal colour.
Sustainability
We are constantly trying to improve our eco credentials: cutting waste and packaging, using recycled paper straw and cardboard hamper boxes, and sourcing ingredients as close to home as the season allows.
Meet the People Behind the Bottles
For press enquiries contact Richard Shipp on 01559 372 152.