In this episode of Fuelling Foodies: The Food & Drink Marketing Podcast, Kate sits down with Harriet, Co-Founder and Marketing Director of Penrhos Spirits - a beautifully British farm-led gin brand turning wonky fruit into premium spirits.

What started as a farming problem, £30,000 worth of unsellable strawberries, became the foundation for a challenger gin brand now stocked nationally in Sainsbury’s, sold across Amazon and travel retail, and recognised for its pioneering recycled aluminium packaging.

Harriet shares the honest story behind building a spirits brand from a family farm in Herefordshire, navigating one of the most competitive categories in food and drink, and the reality of scaling when your product suddenly lands on 400 supermarket shelves.

We spoke about:

1. The Penrhos origin story - how a surplus of fruit sparked the idea for a gin brand
2. Why provenance, transparency and “price with justification” matter more than ever
3. Standing out in the crowded gin category
4. What really happens after landing a national retail listing
5. The moment Penrhos aired its first Sky TV advert (and what it did for sales)
6. Community-led marketing: farm tours, “Sip & Walk” experiences and founder storytelling
7. The realities of scaling a family business - from big wins to “can we actually sustain this?” moments
8. Why collaborations, partnerships and email marketing are powerful growth levers for challenger brands

If you're building a food or drink brand right now, particularly in a competitive category, this episode is packed with real founder insight on how to grow while staying true to your brand!

LINKS & RESOURCES:

1. Follow @penrhosspirits and explore their premium spirits.
2. Join the Food Marketing Club for just £57/month - your monthly hub for digital marketing strategies, templates, and support
3. Want tailored strategy support? Book a Strategy Call with Kate
4. Follow @kwmarketinguk for food & drink marketing insights, email tips & digital strategy

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