- Harvested on 10 July and on shelves three months later - from Waitrose Farm at Leckford in Hampshire - the only working farm owned by a UK supermarket
- Made with regeneratively farmed wheat and carrying the Championing Regenerative Farming logo, part of Waitrose’s Farming for Nature programme
- The latest in a line of Leckford firsts, from the first supermarket-owned vineyard to the UK’s first Regenified-certified orchards
Waitrose has launched Leckford Single Estate Gin and Leckford Single Estate Vodka, the first spirits made from crops grown on a UK supermarket’s own farm.
Both spirits are distilled from grain, but it is unusual to know which farm, let alone which field or day it was harvested. These came from a single field at the Waitrose Farm at Leckford in Hampshire, harvested on 10 July, and reached Waitrose shelves just over three months later, in time for Christmas.
The wheat was grown using regenerative practices, which seek to restore the soil, conserve water and support biodiversity. For the spirits, the field grew oilseed rape the year before, was never left bare between harvests, and the seed was sown into narrow strips rather than ploughing the whole field. Both spirits carry Waitrose’s Championing Regenerative Farming logo, which also appears on Waitrose’s own-label milk and shows products from farms using these practices.
It is the first time the estate has grown a crop specifically for spirits. Leckford wheat has gone into Leckford Homebaking flour since 2003 and Leckford bread since 2024, but this year the Leckford team grew three new varieties as a bespoke spirit grain, chosen with Ramsbury, the Wiltshire estate distillery that made the gin and vodka.
Leckford is where Waitrose has farmed to regenerative principles since 2020. It works closely with farmers and growers, supporting Waitrose Farming for Nature programme, a commitment for all its UK farmers and growers to have started using regenerative practices by 2030.
Regenerative farming also depends on farmers being able to sell what they grow. When it launched Farming for Nature in 2024, Waitrose committed to providing a market for regeneratively produced food, and the spirits give Leckford’s wheat a new one. They take the Leckford range to 17 products, alongside the estate’s bread, flour, oil and honey for food lovers who want to know exactly where their food comes from.
The spirits are the latest in a line of firsts from Leckford. Vines planted there in 2009 made Waitrose the first UK retailer with its own vineyard and the first supermarket to sell its own English sparkling wine. In 2023 it became the first UK retailer to run tractors on renewable natural gas. And in 2024 Leckford’s vineyard and orchards became the first in the UK to gain Regenified certification, an independent standard for regenerative farming.
The wheat is distilled in small batches at Ramsbury, which runs on renewable energy. The gin takes its inspiration from the wild plants that grow across the estate. Its 11 botanicals include juniper, sweet orange, lemon and warming cinnamon. The vodka is distilled four times for a smooth texture with notes of caramel and vanilla. The harvest made 30,000 bottles, on sale now in over 200 Waitrose shops at £25 each.
Andrew Hoad, Director of the Leckford Estate and Farming for Nature at Waitrose, said: “We’ve grown wheat for baking at Leckford for more than twenty years, but this is the first time we’ve grown it for spirits. Our commitment to regenerative farming reflects the belief that producing high-quality food and caring for the environment go hand in hand, and these spirits are a taste of exactly that.”
Nik Fordham, Master Distiller and General Manager at Ramsbury, said: “Distilling grain grown on a single farm gives us an incredible level of connection to the raw material and the land it comes from. Working with the team at Leckford, we were able to select wheat varieties specifically for their suitability for distilling, considering how their characteristics would influence the flavour, texture and quality of the finished spirits. The choice of grain is fundamental to what we make, and being involved from the field through to distillation allows us to understand and celebrate that journey. It’s a great example of what can be achieved when farming and distilling expertise come together, creating spirits with a genuine sense of place and a clear connection to the land.”
Notes to editors
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- Waitrose Single Estate Leckford Gin and Waitrose Single Estate Leckford Vodka (70cl, £25 each) went on sale this week in over 200 Waitrose shops. Both are exclusive to Waitrose.
- The Leckford range now numbers 17 products, including Leckford Homebaking flour, made from estate-grown wheat since 2003, and Leckford bread, launched in 2024.
- Waitrose is part of the John Lewis Partnership, the UK’s largest employee-owned business.
- The Leckford Estate was bought by John Spedan Lewis in 1929. It covers about 2,800 acres, including arable land, cattle, orchards and vineyards.
- Leckford has farmed using regenerative principles since 2020 and has been a LEAF demonstration farm since 2004.
- The Waitrose Centre of Excellence for Regenerative Agriculture at Leckford was created through Farming for Nature and provides practical tools, workshops, online resources and mentoring for British farmers.
- The wheat was grown using a crop rotation, cover cropping and strip-till establishment.
- Waitrose launched Farming for Nature in May 2024 and has invested more than £2m, including covering the cost of Land App and specialist advice for all its UK farmers and growers. Its partners include Land App, Soil Association Exchange, Regenified, the University of Reading and the Centre for Dynamic Soils.
About Waitrose
Waitrose is the Home of Food Lovers, serving customers with exceptional quality products and expert service.
Part of the John Lewis Partnership - the UK’s largest employee-owned business - Waitrose has 320 shops and a strong online business. It also has agreements with brands like Welcome Break and Shell, further bolstering its local footprint.
It works closely with British farmers and suppliers, and is a market-leader for animal welfare and responsible sourcing - using sustainable farming methods, including on its very own farm, the Leckford Estate.
Waitrose holds a Royal Warrant as Grocer and Wine & Spirits Merchant to His Majesty King Charles III.
