We are immensely proud to announce that Downton Distillery has been honoured with the Special Achievement Award at the 2025 Drinks Sustainability Awards, held at the iconic OXO Tower.
This award is not just a recognition of our spirits, but of our wider commitment to sustainability, conservation, and rethinking how a modern distillery can operate responsibly in harmony with its environment. For us, sustainability has never been a marketing add-on – it is the foundation of everything we do.
From launching the UK’s first closed-loop refill pouch scheme and reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by over 80%, to rewilding juniper on the Wiltshire Downs and supporting the conservation of the critically endangered Great Bustard, our ethos has always been about creating spirits with purpose. Every bottle we produce tells two stories: one of craft and quality, and another of regeneration, circularity, and community.
This recognition also celebrates our collaborations. We have transformed waste from other producers into new spirits, given disused farmland a second life as a thriving botanical garden, and supported orchardists, farmers, and conservation groups whose work underpins biodiversity and food security.
Standing alongside pioneers like Sustainable Wine Solutions and Nc’Nean Distillery reminds us how powerful collective action can be. It takes bold steps and shared knowledge to shift an industry known for heavy glass bottles, complex supply chains, and waste into one that embraces transparency and resilience.
This award belongs as much to our partners, customers, and supporters as it does to us. You’ve challenged us, backed us, and helped prove that small distilleries can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with global players. Together, we’re showing that sustainability and great spirits are not mutually exclusive – they are inseparable.
