Two Welsh food and drink businesses receive protected status

Two businesses based in Pembrokeshire, Wales – The Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company and Velfrey Vineyard – have been awarded protected status for their products.

Velfrey Vineyard has been awarded Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for its Velfrey NV Traditional Method Sparkling Brut and ‘Rhosyn’ 2021 Traditional Method Vintage Sparkling Brut Rosé wines.

Based at The Old Point House in East Angle Bay, the Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company has been given Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status for its Welsh Laverbread.

The two schemes protect the name of a product which comes from a specific region and follow a certain production process.

Velfrey Vineyard, located near Narberth, has over 4,000 vines planted across three acres. Established in 2016, Velfrey is run by husband-and-wife Andy and Fiona Mounsey along with their son Ryan and his wife Sophie.

The wines are made from three grape varieties, notably Pinot Noir, Seyval Blanc, and Solaris. 

“We are delighted to have been awarded PGI status for wines made from grapes grown in our Pembrokeshire vineyard. Not only does this provide assurance to our customers about the wines’ provenance and quality, it also allows us to proudly proclaim on the labels that this is Welsh sparkling wine,” Andy Mounsey said.

“Our NV sparkling brut has been selected by a panel of distinguished judges from WineGB as one of the UK’s top 100 wines, while our newly launched Rhosyn is getting both plaudits and orders from highly knowledgeable sommeliers.

“It’s fantastic that wine from Pembrokeshire is achieving this kind of recognition.”

In 2010, Café Môr was started by Jonathan Williams who has a passion for seafood. In 2012, after establishing the business, it attracted investment and became part of the Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company.

Laverbread is made from cooked laver (seaweed) which has been plucked by hand from the Welsh coastline and is rooted in Welsh history as a vital source of nutrition.

Welsh Laverbread was awarded PDO status in 2017 to celebrate its inherent ties to Welsh seascapes and communities.

Jonathan Williams at The Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company said: “Laverbread is an important part of Pembrokeshire food history and we are absolutely delighted to receive this status.

“We currently use laverbread in our seaweed butter, Lobster Welsh Rarebit and even in our Welsh cakes. “PDO status means consumers have the confidence knowing they are eating the genuine Welsh product. We will continue to ensure it is cooked to the highest of standards so people from near and far can enjoy our Welsh laverbread.”