ABOUT US
The Ginagain Story
Rick Allen, the founder and artist behind Ginagain, first envisioned a unique gin flavor profile nearly 20 years ago. Growing up on the edge of California’s Central Valley, where fruit and citrus farms thrive, he was surrounded by an abundance of oranges. His love affair with gin began during travels in England in the 1990s, which inspired him to combine his passion for gin with the citrus of his Californian roots. Initially, he crafted a compound gin for friends and family, and this early creation caught the attention of Draft Magazine in the U.S. In a July 2008 article titled “Liquor Without Labels,” Rick’s home distilling efforts were highlighted, including a photo of “very homemade” label for “Ginagain.”
The journey of Ginagain took a significant step forward during the early 2020’s when Rick and his Australian wife Stephanie, with ample time and access to the oranges from the tree in his Santa Cruz front yard, began perfecting his recipe. In February 2023, Ginagain launched its first edition, Ginagain 01, in collaboration with an independent distillery in the UK. This tiny batch run, produced in a copper pot still, resulted in a true London Dry gin where the imported organic Californian orange peel shines through like a hot summer’s day in the Central Valley, without the overly sweet notes found in many flavoured gins.
Their second creation, Ginagain 02, made its debut in the summer of 2024. Crafted by Stephanie, this gin highlights a distinctive flavour profile that includes California grapefruit peel, fresh basil, and ginger root. Staying true to tradition, it continues to celebrate the essence of California citrus, infusing the gin with vibrant local flavors.
“We’ve had an incredible experience bringing these gins to life, pouring our hearts and creativity into every step of the process. As we embark on this journey, still in its early stages, we’ve discovered a deep and enduring passion for California citrus and botanicals from around the world. Each new batch has strengthened our commitment to crafting something truly special, and our love for these natural ingredients continues to grow with every gin we create.”
