Friday, 10 September 2010 12:52

Sussex based Gran Stead’s Non Alcoholic Beverages has gone national with a new deal that sees it stocked on the shelves of the prestigious and quintessentially English Fortnum and Mason department store in London.

The deal puts the Gran Stead’s Ginger Wine and Still Lemonades on the map as the business branches out with the ongoing development of a new national distribution network.

Owned by the Knox family, the drinks company has been producing and distributing traditional non alcoholic Ginger Wine across Sussex since 1994 and was awarded the Best Speciality in the South East accolade at the 2009 Great Taste Awards. 

The family-run business now operates from Mile Oak Farm, Portslade but for many years the wine – prepared from a 150 year old recipe – was bottled in the household kitchen.

Chris Knox, managing director of Gran Stead’s, said: “I am delighted that such a prestigious store as Fortnum and Mason has decided to stock our handmade drinks. Our aim at Gran Stead’s is to ensure we produce traditionally English and high quality, non alcoholic beverages.

“We are confident there is a strong demand for our drinks so the time is right to develop partnerships that will see Sussex-made Gran Stead’s available the length and breadth of the UK.”

Megan Oliver, Grocery Buyer at Fortnum and Mason, said: “Fortnum & Mason is very proud to be stocking these beautifully made drinks. Producers making this style of drinks in the traditional manner are few and far between and, moreover, they taste delicious!”