News / Wine
Two friends use lockdown to launch new drinks business
An elderflower sparkling wine in a can might never have had the shelves if it was not for the coronavirus pandemic.
Mydflower founders Michael Dew-Veal and David Ruttle went foraging themselves for the wild elderflowers that go into the drink alongside champagne yeast, spring water and freshly squeezed lemons.
Before the pandemic, Michael, who lives in Redland, was working on a number of projects, including a film masters, a sustainable Christmas cracker company and a silent disco business.
is needed now More than ever
David was living and working in Amsterdam but when the world went into lockdown, it meant that the pair – who met at university – had more time to finally launch their business.
Production started in June, when the elderflowers come out, with Mydflower made at David’s parents’ home in the Brecon Beacons, close to the village of Myddfai.
……………………………………
Read more: Get wine delivered by a singing cycling grape-o-gram
……………………………………
Michael and David were living in a tent in a wildflower meadow so as to observe social distancing rules, spending their days driving around tiny country roads, eyes peeled for sprays of white flowers in hedgerows, visiting the same trees every day to get the best ones, and juicing and zesting lemons into the night.
“We had a few tough moments – for instance, when the temperature dropped to nearly freezing at night, and we had to swaddle the tanks in every duvet and blanket we could lay our hands on to keep the fermentation going,” said Michael.
“But we were overjoyed when we had our product ready, tasting delicious, and packaged with a gorgeous illustration from our friend Oli Brenner.”
Mydflower’s elderflower sparkling wine balances dry and sweet at 5.3% ABV – photo: Mydflower
Whitehall Stores was one of the first places in Bristol to sell Mydflower and have so far sold more than anywhere else, with the drink also available at restaurants including Snobby’s in Redland, pubs including the Greenbank in Easton and it also being on the menu at the Breaking Bread pop-up on the Downs.
“Mydflower is an expression of lots of things we love: spending time in nature, engaging with myths and folklore, and of course sharing a nice cold drink on a summer’s day,” said David.
“It’s also great to make something that is intended to be enjoyed, and that we can share with friends.”
Main photo: Michael Dew-Veal (left) and David Ruttle (right)
Read more: Help yourself to wine on tap in new bar at Finzels Reach
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
