B
arker and Quin, South Africa’s leading producer
of premium natural tonic water, has joined the
Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards as a
headline trophy sponsor. The Paarl-based drinks company,
which was founded in 2016 by oenology doctorate Hanneli
van der Merwe and Chris Wium, has grown into one of
South Africa’s success stories in the mixed-drinks market.
A strong local customer base is complemented by markets
for its range of tonic waters in 13 countries world-wide.The Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards is Africa’s largest
drinks competition which attracted over 2 200 entries last year. It is also
the only local wine and spirits show to be judged by panels comprising
a majority of experts based in foreign countries, allowing entrants to be
assessed by international critics.Giving gin a lift
As of 2019 Barker and Quin will sponsor the Michelangelo Gin Trophy.
Since the explosion in the popularity of gins in the global marketplace,
as well as the dynamic increase in South African-based distilleries, this
has become one of the Michelangelo’s most exciting categories, with a
total of 70 gins entered in 2018. And Barker and Quin Tonic Water, well
what a success story.
Hanneli says the idea for Barker and Quin was sparked during a business
trip she had taken with her business partner, Chris Wium, when both
were employed by a company supplying corks to the wine industry.
“During a visit to Portugal, where most of the world’s cork is produced, I
noticed how many gin and tonic options were on offer in the restaurants
and clubs,” she says. “At that time the craft gin market in South Africa was
just taking off, but I couldn’t find quality, all-natural tonic waters locally.”
As the first woman to obtain a PhD in oenology from the University
of Stellenbosch, Hanneli simply decided to make one herself. After
experimenting at home, which included using a Sodastream to add the
bubbles, she and Chris tried and tested, and knew there was something
there. But having a tonic is one thing - they needed comment from a
gin expert.
“We needed an expert opinion, so we took it to Pete Gottgens at Asara
Wine Estate, home to Sansibar Gin Lounge. After tasting it, he put in an
order for 60 bottles a week right then and there!”All in a name
Now well on their way to creating their first product, all Chris and
Hanneli needed was a name. They came up with what they thought
was a winning title – Green Fire. The design team working on their label,
however, wasn’t convinced.
“Haumann Smal Design Studio in Stellenbosch came up with three
pages’ name suggestions,” says Hanneli, “and Chris and I pointed to
the same concept name: Barker and Quin.” The name is derived from
the main ingredient of tonic water: quinine sourced from the bark of the
cinchona tree. The design team then created a story around historical
figure John Ross, introducing two new characters – a fox terrier named
Barker and a parrot named Quin who accompanied him on his travels.
The brand was launched in August 2016, with the Finest Indian Tonic.
Barker and Quin uses only natural ingredients sourced from reliable,
eco-friendly suppliers. The tonics include quinine from the bark of
cinchona trees, fresh mountain spring water from the Breede River
Valley, pure sugar cane, zesty citrus extracts and Indian spices.85