Page 18 - SIP DRINK TOUR HEREFORDSHIRE 2022 DIGITAL

…Continued
hundreds of years, using only the finest natural
botanicals, no artificial colours or flavours
and a lot of love. Our fine whisky, vodka and
SHAUN WARD rum hold the same artisan excellence.
Ludlow Gin
Ludlow Covid completely changed our business.
Not selling directly to the consumer we lost
Having trained in the conservation of most of our revenue streams. Fortunately,
historic buildings I was Clerk of Works for in March 2020 we were the Craft Gin Club’s
St Laurence’s Church Ludlow, as well as Gin of the Month, giving us an incredible
being Director of Music there, before platform to launch our consumer business
becoming a master distiller. All that classical and engage with customers. Resilience,
training has permeated my work and positivity, networking and community have
personal life, inspiring my business today. been key to our growth since.
Ludlow is famous for its continuously We’d love to open a distillery experience,
growing food and drink scene and I spotted gin school and more exciting products.
a gap that could combine my passion for Watch this space!
gin with my passion for Ludlow.
Shaun’s holy trinity:
Over many months and even more • Turnover is vanity, cash is sanity -
experiments, I developed a range of unique know your numbers
but traditionally juniper-led recipes, all • Network, talk to everyone, no matter how
at a decent 42% strength and launched obscure, building relationships is the key
Wardington’s Original Ludlow Gin in to everything
September 2018.
• Take calculated risks (if you know
We distil gin as it has been crafted for your numbers!)

JEANIE Now back in full form, we want to expand
FALCONER the visitors to the vineyard. It’s not just
Frome Valley about tasting our own wines, but sharing
Vineyards information with budding vineyard owners
Bishops Frome who come to visit and learn about the
vines, growing conditions and production
I was a journalist in turkey in the 1980s and processes. It is such a beautiful spot; we really
was then an EU specialist; a public affairs feel it shows off Herefordshire at its best.
consultant living in London and Brussels, As an incomer from Dartmoor, it took me
so I am an incomer to Herefordshire - it is a while to appreciate fully what I now see
my husband who is the local. The vineyard as truly awesome country. It is an amazing
was established over 30 years ago and I county with major hills on three sides (Black
took it over in 2005, nearly 18 years ago. Mountains to the west, Shropshire Hills to
When we arrived I thought “how hard can the north and the Malverns to the east)
this be? I’ll give it a go” and here I still am, sheltering it from the Atlantic weather (hence
of course I’ve had a steep learning curve but its fertile, fruit growing strength). It is full of
absolutely love it. Covid was devastating astounding history as well, from Romans to
and we closed down completely, but we medieval king makers, here on the Marches
have used the time to do the things we between England and Wales.
couldn’t fit in before, especially on the
marketing side, to be ready for the return. Jeanie’s business tip: Stay organised!

16 SIP DRINK TOUR Herefordshire