What did you do before establishing Rockfield Distillery? Before setting up our distillery, I was a headteacher in a country primary school, Clifford Primary School. I spent 30 wonderful years educating primary school children. Why did you decide to launch a distillery, and what's the inspiration for your gin? My husband, Paul, was inspired to establish our gin distillery, driven by the desire to create a product that would bring joy to a wide audience. The natural choice for us was gin! As for me, I found inspiration for our gin classes, envisioning a space where people could unwind and delve in the fascinating world of gin. Our journey began with two timeless classics: our crisp Dry Gin, a personal favourite of Paul's, and our delightful Pink Gin, which captures me with its fruity essence.
What is the meaning behind the Rockfield Spirits brand name? The birth of our brand, Rockfield – 'The Spirit of Hereford' - draws inspiration from the enchanting surrounds of our distillery. The name, ‘Rockfield,’ pays homage to Rockfield Road, while the ‘Spirit of Hereford,’ encapsulates the essence of the splendid location we call home. Our logo proudly features a prominent ‘R set amidst an orchard, a poignant reminder of the orchards that once flourished here years ago. Can you tell us more about your distillery and your still? The lower level of our distillery is an industrial haven where the intricate craft of distillation and bottling Rockfield gin unfolds. Ascend the stairs, and you’ll find a contemporary, stylish bar, serving as the backdrop for our gin tasting and crafting sessions. Our copper still hails from Serbia and bears the name ‘Doris’, a tribute to my late mother who appreciated a good drink or two! Each run, Doris, produces 300 bottles which are bottled on-site, adding a personal touch to each sip.
Can you tell us more about your distillation process and botanicals? Our dry gin uses eight botanicals. The slow distillation process ensures that every drop encapsulates the precise taste we aim for. For our flavoured gins, we delicately balance the juniper content to allow the vibrant flavours of fresh fruits to shine through. As an extra sensory delight, the distillery air is filled with the invigorating aroma of fresh zested oranges for our Orange Gin, creating a truly immersive experience for all our senses. What can visitors experience if they visit for a Gin Tasting or Gin Making experience? At the distillery school we run two experiences: gin making and gin tasting. With the gin tasting classes you have the opportunity to see how our gin is made and taste all of our flavours in a relaxed environment. At our gin making experience you craft your own 70cl gin on a beautiful copper still, whilst sampling a range of our gins.
What is your ambition for your distillery and brand in the years to come? Our ambition is to strengthen and expand our distribution channels to reach a broader audience. We want our logo to be recognised locally and then by people far and wide. What’s next for you and your Rockfield Spirits – any exciting plans? We would love to add more flavoured gins to the range and possibly vodka in the future.
What are your favourite ways to drink your gins?
My preferred way to savour my gin is amidst the company of friends or in the serene solitude of my home balcony, gazing at the captivating panorama towards the Black Mountains. Irrespective of the flavour I opt for, I relish my gin poured over ample of ice, blended with crisp tonic and fresh fruit – orange, raspberries or apple. You Might Also Like...
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