Copeland, the Saintfield-based producer of fresh fruit-infused gins has won its first business in Estonia.

The company, which sources fresh fruit such as raspberries, blueberries and blackberries from farmers in Killinchy and other parts of Co Down, has signed a distribution deal in Tallinin, the Estonian capital, for its small batch gins.

Copeland Gin, founded in 2016 by 25-year old Gareth Irvine, from Bangor, has begun shipping its rhuberry gin, which is made with rhubarb and blackberries, raspberry and mint gin and a limited edition spiced apple and blackcurrants to Actimer Ou in Tallinin.

The deal in Estonia came by way of Dublin, according to Mr Irvine. He explains: “Actimer’s managing director was in the Republic last year and saw one of our gins in a bar in Dublin. He tried it, loved the distinctive fruity flavour and subsequently decided to give us a call.

“I was absolutely thrilled when he called about doing business with us. This led to a distribution deal at the end of the year. The first consignment was shipped to Tallinin a few weeks ago,” he continues. “Initial feedback from the first bars to receive the gins has been immensely positive and hugely encouraging. We are looking forward to repeat business soon,” he adds.

The Saintfield company will be running a programme of tastings at bars and hotels in the Estonian capital and other cities later in the month.

 

“We’re really looking forward to showcasing the gins there and demonstrating how we process these from the freshest fruit grown by our farm suppliers in the Killinchy area,” he adds.

 

He sees Estonian as a strategically important market that positioned close to Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Russia.

 

“Our new distributor has contacts in many of these markets which we aim to develop in the year ahead,” he continues.

 

“We hope, in addition, that our developing success there and in other international markets will bring further positive benefits to our network of growers here.”

The company, he adds, enjoyed business growth of 120 percent last year and is poised for even faster in the year ahead.

“Our objective since the business was established in 2016 has been to create fruit-infused gins that surprise and excite consumers while also showcasing and celebrating local farm produce,” says Mr Irvine

The company, which has been assisted by Invest Northern Ireland and taken part in a range of marketing initiatives with the agency, has won listings with major retailers such as Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury, Aldi, Lidl and Musgrave Group, is also shipping its gins to Britain and the United Arab Emirates.

For more, contact Gareth Irvine on 07714 187651 or Sam Butler on 0771 308 9254

 

Now that the festive break is over it’s back to business here at the farm. This means new baby goats have arrived, our farm shop and cafe is back open every Friday from 11-3 and you can find us once again at markets every Saturday in Dublin and Belfast.

We also have a few new workshops and products to share with you!

First up we have two classes available to book this year so far. Our very popular Cheesemaking day with the incredibly knowledgable Silke from Corleggy Cheese (Book Here) and our very own Becky is running a Natural Skincare class here on the farm in February (Book Here.)

Some of you will have already tasted our newest addition to the range, our Rose Veal salamis! We’ve gone and created a new meat-box that contains just our charcuterie, so if you’ve been looking at trying it out then this box is for you! Check it out here!

Finally, we’re delighted to share our huge win in the Delicious Magazine Food Awards! We won the Artisan From the Field category and had some really amazing feedback on our goat bacon! We’ve shared the article over on our Instagram stories if you want to have a look.

Food NI member Jawbox Gin has won its first business in France for its award-winning classic Belfast dry gin that includes among its botanical ingredients heather harvested from the slopes of the city’s Black Mountain.

The company, founded and managed by former publican Gerry White, has signed a distribution deal with CBH Drinks Marketing and Brand Development in Paris which will see its unique gin and its recently launched gin liqueurs on sale in hotels and bars in the French capital and other parts of the nation.

Jawbox is distilled in Co Down and has established itself as a  leading Irish small batch producer of premium gins.

Mr White, who founded Jawbox in 2016, the first gin to be developed in Belfast in more than century, commenting on the latest deal for the spirit, says: “We are thrilled to have CBH as our distribution partner in France. It’s a major international market that we’ve been targeting for some time and follows our most recent and highly successful launch in Sweden.

“We’ve been building our distribution network in Europe steadily over the past year and have a number of important agreements already in place to help accelerate the export sales of Jawbox and our new rhubarb and ginger and pineapple and ginger flavoured gins,” he adds.

CBH is market leader in France and is regarded as one of the best independent operators for launching super premium spirit brands and guaranteeing their marketing and sales development throughout France. The distribution business was established in 1997 to supply top hotels, restaurants and cocktail bars throughout France and Monaco.

Jawbox is planning an extensive programme of product samplings in Paris and other centres to support CBH.

The company has been developing business in the Britain and the Republic of Ireland successfully and is also now focused on export sales. The original Jawbox classic gin is already on sale in markets as diverse as Portugal and Australia.

A major drive is planned for Europe especially in France and the Netherlands and in the US, where the company aims to launch early this year. New bottles are being developed in line with US requirements.

16-31 January
Members’ Fortnight*
Guild of Fine Food members only can enter Great Taste ahead of the general entry and at the special discounted rate. Members’ Fortnight will end automatically at midnight on 31 January.

1-15 February
General entry – open to all
Entry for Great Taste is capped – Enter early to avoid disappointment. Entry will close when entry cap is reached or on 15 February, whichever is first.
Normal rate of entry applies to all.

March to mid-June
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18 March-7 June
Judging in London & Dorset

Late June
3-star products re-called for judging
10 July
3-star Judging Day

Early August

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For more information  visit gff.co.uk/gta