In 2017 there were 17 distilleries up from just one in 2012, and at least 23 vineyards in Wales, which contribute £400m to the UK Treasury every year, according to data from HMRC.

HMRC has estimated that four new distilleries, including Halewood Wines and Spirits’ Aber Falls distillery in North Wales, and six vineyards were opened in 2017.

It is estimated by the UK’s Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) that wine and spirits sales in Wales were worth nearly £1.3bn in 2017 with approximately £650m spent on wine and £630m on spirits. The association claims the industry supports 33,000 jobs.

In March 2017, the Welsh Government produced a report on the Welsh drinks industry, which estimated the Welsh alcoholic drinks market was worth £710m in 2016 with wine representing 42% of all sales, spirits accounting for 30%, beer and lager for 18% and cider for 9%. The report calculated five distilleries and 19 vineyards covering 34.7 hectares in Wales in 2016.

In light of these figures, the WSTA hosted an event to promote the Welsh wine and spirits industry at the Welsh National Assembly and called upon the government to give more support to the sectors.

WSTA chief executive Miles Beale said: “Welsh wine and spirit businesses continue to boom, with both the size of the industry and the quality of produce increasing each year. Our event at the Senedd earlier this week was well attended, and it was clear that Assembly Members have great enthusiasm for supporting welsh wine and spirits producers.

“Four distilleries opened in Wales last year, and a reported six vineyards as well, bringing a boost to the local economy as well as new jobs to the area.

“There is a significant amount of investment going into wine and spirits in Wales, and the industry was worth over £1bn to the Welsh economy last year, but 48% of this goes straight to the Treasury. That’s why the support of Welsh AMs is so crucial as producers look to invest in their business and seek to take advantage of new export opportunities as we ready for Brexit.”