Barker & Quin Light at Heart Tonic

"Inspiration can be found in unexpected places." For oenologist Hanneli von der Merwe, it was a business trip to Europe in November 2015, during which she personally discovered the delicious world of craft gin and designer tonics at a party hosted by the host company.

As the first woman to earn a PhD in oenology from Stellenbosch University, she was looking for a new adventure—who would have thought the answer would lie in the cocktail she enjoyed? Back in South Africa, she observed that the craft gin industry was already establishing itself, capturing the hearts and palates of discerning consumers with its high level of local craftsmanship.

But amidst this growing excellence and diversity, there was a painful gap. South Africa needed a natural, high-quality tonic water to complement its burgeoning gin industry—she decided to change that. Today, Barker & Quin is a partnership between her and longtime colleague and friend Chris Wium.