U’Luvka is born from my love of people, place, tradition and vodka. When first visiting Poland in the 1990′s I was struck by the Poles’ great hospitality and their traditional way of extending it. I loved the way they would receive a guest with vodka and traditional victuals, following the ancient code of hospitability. The vodka would be savoured and appreciated; spirit lifting spirits, opening hearts and allowing souls to commune, to express themselves in heartfelt conversation; weaving the warp and weft of friendship. Good stuff.

And so began a love affair and a quest. I set out to discover the secrets of vodka; its origins, history and lore. Travelling through Poland and meeting with those who shared my passion, I learned many things and heard many stories. One that intrigued me the most was a story that I picked up in snippets and fragments all over Poland. It told of the legendary alchemist Sendivogius and a magical vodka that he distilled for the court of King Sigismund III. Some said that this was the medicine that saved the king from an incurable disease in 1606. Others said that he made it while court alchemist a dozen years earlier. The recipe, like the story, was remembered only in fragments. But by seeking out scholars of alchemy, consulting buried texts and working with some of Poland’s finest distillers, I have recreated the legendary royal elixir. The elusive genius of Sendivogius has been recaptured, distilled and bottled as U’Luvka: The stuff of legend; the spirit of genius.

To Friendship, Love and Pleasure

Mark Holmes

Founder

markh@uluvka.com