BESPOKE SERVICES

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.”

Mary Lou Cook

The distillery was founded in one of the former homes (Parsonage Manor) of Sir Walter Raleigh, in an old carriage shed, where many a cold day was spent working our original still the 'Ark Royal'. In 2021 we relocated to the north side of Downton onto Wick Down, which is part of the Wiltshire Downs and Cranborne Chase. It is an area of outstanding beauty rich with Neolithic and Early Bronze Age sites, with Clearbury Ring within walking distance.

Our new home is located on the vineyards of Domaine Hugo and Offbeat Wines, two biodynamic & organic award winning wine producers.

At the distillery we are in the process of rewilding Juniper back onto the downs, whilst growing our own botanicals in the distillery garden which offers the most beautiful views across the vista. The garden is both important educational tool, provides us our herbs and supports an abundance of wildlife. The salvias and bergamots host a kaleidoscope of butterflies and an eclipse of hawk moths during the summer before they migrate back to warmer climates in the Autumn.

We have an active sustainability programme, where you can purchase refill packs for your spirits before sending them back to us free of charge. Or you can refill your empty bottles at one of our refill points. These are located at Downton Brewery, Dark Revolution (coming soon), Regent Tailoring and Healthy Life (Devizes).

Our spirits are award winning and we are passionate in what we do. Tour dates, master classes and events can be found in our calendar. Contract distilling is also available.

Preparing Test Still, Downton Distillery, Hugh Anderson

Chalk Downs, Wiltshire Downs ,Downton Distillery

Downton Distillery, Research, Book, reading, bespoke

We uphold the traditions of past distillers using copper alembic stills, we believe in being bold with flavours, creating something unique and characterful. There are no shortcuts, and everything is done by our own hands. It is a labour-intensive process but leads to distinguished products of quality. Each batch we produce contains only 100 bottles, with Explorer's Gin being hand signed.

Our 175L still is called 'Abeona'. In Roman mythology, Abeona is known as the Goddess of 'Outward Journeys'. Not only does she protect travelers, but she also watches over the travels of young children leaving home.

Explorer's is our main gin, created to celebrate the voyage of Sir Walter Raleigh to the New World in 1584 whilst living in Downton. Our Chardonnay Vodka uses the pressed grapes from Domaine Hugo and our new Noccino (Walnut and Maple liqueur) uses walnuts growing behind the distillery.

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