Our Chardonnay grapes are grown on the sun-soaked chalk downs of south Wiltshire. After pressing, we repurpose the grape skins to create this distinctive vodka.

We allow the juicy skins, or ‘pomace’, to gently macerate and once distilled we do not filter it, but allow the spirit to rest. This creates a clean and elegant vodka with great complexity. The left over pomace is then composted and recycled back into the vineyard.

We think this exceptional vodka is best enjoyed neat with ice or served as a martini.

• 40% ABV @ 700ml.
• Calories per shot 55
• Lovely notes of chocolate on the nose, pepper from the grape skins. 
  
• No added sugars.
• Carbon Neutral, all elements are recycled.
• Distilled and bottled in Downton, Wiltshire.
• Small Batch only 200 bottles available.

AWARDS

SUSTAINABILITY

• The bottle is using 100% recycled glass and coal corks.
• The bottles are unique in design, as defects are allowed within the glass, providing the bottle a textured finish.
• Foil label is recycled, please peel off and then use your bottle for water.
• The glassware uses 70% less CO2 in production and is 33% lighter than the Explorer’s bottle.
• The pomace is then recycled back into the vineyard.

This spirit is similar to Marc, Tresterschnaps and Grappa as it uses grape skins, seeds, and stems left over after wine making process. Something most vineyards discard.

Why make it? The distillery is sat on the organic vineyards of Domaine Hugo and Offbeat Wines. Every year after the harvest the winery has several tonnes of pomace (crushed grape) and lees (liquid sediment) which is normally disposed of. Both items contain great flavour and natural sugars, allowing us to ferment them.

What do you do? We take the Chardonnay pomace and over the winter allow it to rest in barrel with our wheat spirit. It is then double distilled in the early spring.

The used pomace is then taken out to the compost beds, where it is chipped up and recycled into fertiliser for the vines in the late spring. The unique character of the vintage will change each year.

What is this not? This is not chardonnay wine meets vodka!

Nose: Aromas of light cocoa mingle with delicate sweet peppery notes, offering a gentle warmth and soft spice. The peppery character is rounded by a subtle, honeyed sweetness, creating a smooth and inviting nose with a touch of intrigue.

Palate: Cacao lends a mellow, rounded depth to the profile, with gentle hints of toasted nibs and a soft, lingering sweetness. This is beautifully complemented by warming, peppery spice, aromatic and nuanced rather than hot. Reminiscent of pink peppercorns with subtle fruity undertones. A touch of honeyed sweetness smooths out the edges, bringing balance to the spice. The result is a flavour that’s warm, fragrant, and layered with complexity, inviting and intriguing without ever overwhelming the palate.

Finish: Smooth and rounded with a full-bodied finish that lingers gently, leaving a warm, satisfying depth on the palate.

50ml chilled Downton Chardonnay Vodka over ice.

Short Serve I Voyager Martini  I  60ml Downton Chardonnay Vodka, 12.5ml Daiginjo Sake, 2.5ml Fino Sherry. Ice. Stir.

Long Serve I Downton Donkey  I  60ml Downton Chardonnay Vodka, 15ml lime, 5ml honey, 90ml ginger beer. Combine lime. and honey, integrate vodka, add ice, top with ginger beer. Garnish with lime and mint. Serve in Explorer Mug.

Classic Serve I Vesper Martini  I  60ml Explorer’s Gin, 20ml Downton Chardonnay Vodka, 10ml Lillet Blanc. Ice. Stir.

• We do hope that you are happy with your purchase.
• However, should
  you feel it necessary to return an item because it is damaged, we aim to make the return process as simple as possible.
• We must be notified of damaged goods within 2 days of delivery.
• We will refund you using the method of payment used to make the purchase.
• Goods must be returned unopened, sealed and in the original packaging.
• Downton Distillery Ltd will refund accepted returns within 30 days of you notifying us about the return.
• The postage of the return is the responsibility of the purchaser.
• Liability for loss or damage during transit of goods being returned is the responsibility of the purchaser.

• Please note delivery will require a signature from an over 18.
• All deliveries are sent by signed post, whilst courier will be tracked.
• Deliveries will not be made to minors and delivery services will not complete delivery if they are unsure of the persons age.
• We are unable to leave a package (even in a ‘safe place’) without a signature.
• For UK deliveries please allow 3 - 5 working days from payment.
• The distillery is not responsible for Royal Mail strikes or late deliveries by Royal Mail.