Andrewo
Ref setting up in business. Talked to my mate in H.M Customs & Excise - I refuse to link it with Inland Revenue - and he says your best bet is to contact their National Advice Service, tel - 0845 010 9000 - and explain your idea.
There is a public notice - Notice 162 "Cider and Wine Production" which may help you in your quest, so you could ask about that.
If you wanna produce schnapps, It will be classed as a spirit, and so will fall into a different category from wine and will therefore have a different set of rules and regs as well as a different public notice - mate wasn't sure of the notice number.
This should get you started anyway.
Good luck - you are about to enter the world of red tape !
Rat