Melton Mowbray Sloe Gin was launched in October 2004, spurred on by a burning desire to be my own boss and give people a taste of what the countryside has to offer.
My family, like a large number of farming families and country people had always made Sloe Gin through the winter months and this tradition was passed on through generations.
Being a farmer’s daughter, I was used to the outdoor life and became aware from an early age how the seasons provided vital fruits and berries that grew naturally within the hedgerow.
From the end of September through to November we rally family members to help with the Sloe picking, which can be a long and very cold job. It is so important that we work together during this time, as we only have a very limited window of time in which to gather all of the berries for the following year’s sales.
Starting this new enterprise has not been without the usual stumbling blocks and frustrations of a new business. However, I hope to have found an idea that fits in with my family life and compliments our other farming activities.