Our Story
Founded by hotelier and restaurateur Nic Hancock, alongside international fashion brand director Nicola Thompson-Hancock, the inspiration for Mother of Pearl was born during a visit to a friend’s oyster farm in the remote north of Australia. Captivated by the raw natural beauty of the region, they learned about the pristine conditions needed to cultivate perfect South Sea pearls from the Pinctada oyster’s shell to the balance of water quality and elemental harmony. This revelation inspired them to create a vodka that mirrors the purity and elegance of the Australian South Sea Pearl.
Crafted from late-harvest Pinot Gris grapes, our vodka and gin are naturally gluten-free, sugar-free, and designed for a smoother, less heated finish on the palate. Our unique distillation process including filtration through coconut husk and charcoal enhances the spirit’s creamy mouthfeel and refined flavour profile.
Mother of Pearl is tailored to a sophisticated female audience that values purity, wellness, and mindful consumption. Our spirits cater to health-conscious consumers and those with dietary sensitivities gluten-free, low in calories, and free from carbohydrates. As the demand for clean, low-calorie, and clear spirits grows, Mother of Pearl stands out as a refined and modern choice.
Transparency and provenance are key to our philosophy. Consumers want to know how and where their spirits are made and we proudly distill, bottle, and package every drop in Melbourne using our custom-built 1000L still, lovingly named ELAINE. From grape to glass, every element is handled in-house to ensure quality and integrity.
As early adopters of eco-conscious packaging, Mother of Pearl has partnered with Frugalpac to deliver a game-changing bottle. The Frugal Bottle is 94% recycled paperboard, five times lighter than glass, and has a carbon footprint up to six times lower. With 77% less plastic than standard bottles and 360-degree branding, it’s a standout on the shelf and in sustainability.
This collaboration not only promotes recycling it also opens doors for innovation, helping both brands and consumers meet their environmental goals. At Mother of Pearl, our commitment to preserving Australia’s pristine oceans and marine life is reflected in everything we do, from our ingredients to our packaging.
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Meet Elaine
To continue the age-old distilling tradition of naming stills we felt it only fitting to name Mother of Pearl’s 1000ltr stainless steel pot still ELAINE. Elaine was Nicola’s (Mother of Pearl’s Co-Founder) grandmother, she was a pint-sized powerhouse. ELAINE’s namesake stands at 4.5m high and gracefully towers above all that stand next to her.
A New Generation
WE’VE CREATED A VODKA THAT SPEAKS TO A GENERATION OF WOMEN WHO ARE FORGING THEIR OWN PATH.
Mother of Pearl Vodka has been specifically designed for the female palate which is genetically more discerning than those of their male counterparts. A smooth, grape-based vodka such as Mother of Pearl is also the perfect fit for the health conscious and those with allergies or intolerances as it is low in calories and has zero carbohydrates or sugar