A husband-and-wife duo from Solihull are raising the bar—literally—with a luxurious non-alcoholic drink that’s now catching the attention of fine diners across the globe.
Charlie and Natalie Winkworth-Smith, the brains behind Saicho, have secured a £1.5 million investment boost to take their alcohol-free sparkling tea into new markets, including China and the Middle East. The pair, both food chemists by training, launched their venture in 2019 to fill a gap in the drinks market for people who want to enjoy a refined, wine-like experience—without the alcohol.
Now, thanks to a £500,000 investment from the West Midlands Co-Investment (WMCO) fund—set up by the West Midlands Combined Authority and West Midlands Pension Fund—plus additional private support, their business is bubbling with potential. Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, joined them in raising a glass to their success:
“Charlie and Natalie have created something truly special right here in the West Midlands.
“Their sparkling tea isn’t just a drink — it’s an experience. This is exactly the kind of innovation we want to champion in our region.”
Born out of love and a little science, Saicho was inspired by Natalie’s intolerance to alcohol. Determined not to miss out on the social and culinary joys of wine, the couple used their shared academic background to craft a solution — cold-brewed, single-origin teas that sparkle in every sense of the word.
“We didn’t want to just create another soft drink,” Natalie shared.
“We wanted to craft something elegant, flavourful and celebratory—something that brings people together, regardless of whether they drink alcohol.” Their creation has already found favour in Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels, and now the funding will allow them to scale up production and take their tea to a wider, global audience.
Rupert Lyle, Investment Director at Future Planet Capital Regional, said: “Saicho stood out immediately.
“Charlie and Natalie’s passion, combined with a beautifully crafted product, offers a meaningful alternative to alcohol for today’s more health-conscious consumers.” The timing couldn’t be better.
A recent UK survey revealed nearly half of adults plan to reduce or stop drinking alcohol in the coming year—many motivated by health and financial wellbeing. Charlie believes Saicho is ready to meet this cultural shift head-on: “This funding means we can reach more people who are exploring mindful drinking.
“We’re proud to be a part of that journey.” From a kitchen table idea to an international brand-in-the-making, this Solihull couple is proving that when passion meets purpose, anything is possible.
And in their case, it just happens to taste exquisite.