Wine lovers can now own part of a vineyard in South Africa, as part of a promising new investment scheme.

Barringtons International has been leasing vineyards for over three years and promises a low-risk, short-term investment scheme with potential returns of between 17 and 36 per cent per year.

It may not quite be Haut Brion or Romanee Conti, but investors can lease the equivalent of around 200 vines and can choose to take their annual profits as cash, 250 bottles of wine or a mixture of the two.

Leases are available for between one and three years, with longer agreements promising higher returns.

Barringtons International chief executive Lance Pye explained: "We are offering UK wine enthusiasts the chance to become part of this booming industry.

"The uniqueness of our offering is that returns are based entirely on sales produced from your own vines."