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Behind the Bottle
Behind the Bottle

JEANIE FALCONER
JEANIE F ALCONER
Frome Valley
Vineyard
Bishops Frome
“W
“We took over the
e took over the
vineyard in 2005 as
vineyard in 2005 as
absolute novices.
Our predecessors had
Our predecessors had
established it 15 years
established it 15 years P P P AUL AND
AUL AND
PAUL AND
AUL AND
SARAH SCOURFIELD
SARAH SCOURFIELD
SARAH SCOURFIELD
earlier, at the beginning of the English wine
earlier, at the beginning of the English wine SARAH SCOURFIELD
Rockfield Distillery
revival. Continuing their work we were soon Rockfield Distillery
captivated by the world of vine growing. As Hereford
our expertise grew, so did our family. Now,
from mowing the vineyard to managing Paul Scourfi eld, an accomplished engineer
stands at shows and giving tours, everyone and owner of a local air conditioning
is old enough to help out. company, collaborated with his close friend
Nestled in a curve of the River Frome at the and colleague Mike Griffi ths to create
head of the valley, we enjoy a favourable Rockfi eld Spirits. As the business began to
microclimate. The rich clay loam of our take shape, they were joined by a vital new
“terroir,” deposited over millennia, forms member, Paul’s wife Sarah Scourfi eld. With
the foundation of our award-winning wines. her background as a headteacher, Sarah
At 52 degrees north, we’re on the edge of brought her own insights and creativity
viable viticulture, with unique challenges and to the mix, helping to shape the vision of
benefi ts, such as plenty of water, but late Rockfi eld Spirits and they launched their
frosts are a signifi cant challenge. premises in 2023, conveniently only few
minutes’ walk from Hereford train station,
We aim to tread lightly on our environment, on the site of a former cider mill.
pruning, mulching the rows, and managing
disease with minimal impact mainly by hand, At the heart of Rockfi eld Spirits is Doris,
even our sheep help by “mowing” and their large still, affectionately named
fertilising the vineyard. in honour of Sarah’s late mother. While
Paul and Mike have created a London
We’re proud to be one of the fi rst small Dry Gin and fruity Pink Gin, and continue
vineyards in the Sustainable Wines to develop blends and fl avours, already
GB project. winning awards, Sarah leads front of
Sustainability leads across our entire property house in their gin lounge and experience
with solar panels, biomass heating, and a room, for enthusiasts who want to learn
vegetable garden that makes us nearly the art and science of gin making. Gin
self-suffi cient. Our organic cider orchard, tasting and making classes are both great
large wildlife pond and extensive pasture and fun experiences and their shop lets you
woodland sequester a good deal of carbon, purchase from their ever-growing range of
helping us do our part for the environment.” fl avours. Discover a real spirit of Hereford.
fromevalleyvineyard.co.uk rockfi eldspirits.co.uk
40 Herefordshire’s BEST FOOD & DRINK GUIDE