A DISTILLERY has won big at the World Vodka Awards.
The Downton Distillery, which launched in 2018, was awarded two gold medals for its chardonnay vodka.
Owner Hugh Anderson, who has worked on a gin with James May for his pub in Swallowcliffe, says he aims to source the best fresh botanicals locally when possible.
He said: “I entered the vodka into the World Awards, as I thought I had something special. It turns out that I do and what is even better is that it uses local produce.
"The awards are still sinking in and it is a little surreal but I hope it shows that vodka does not have to be bland and boring."
Read more: Second dumped puppy recovers and is adopted
Hugh has been experimenting by using discarded grapes from the vineyard (pressings). In Italy, the Italians reuse the crushed grapes from the wine and the process creates Grappa, which is jealousy protected.
He said: "Knowing that we have some wonderful vineyards in Wiltshire and Salisbury, it made sense to source something that grows locally and create something unique to celebrate our own produce.
"The crushed grapes are called pomace, this is the general term for any solid material — such as the skins, pulp and seeds."
Hugh confirmed that it was important to work with the pomace quickly so as to extract the remaining sugars which contribute to the Chardonnay vodka.
He added: “I also do contract work and James May from the Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe asked me if I could create a gin using the humble parsnip which I did and this resulted in the Asian Parsnip gin.”
Read more: Pub owners quit after 21 years
The distillery is Green Small Business Certified and strives towards a sustainable and nature-inspired distillery process. The business aims to use recyclable packaging, to measure and reduce its carbon footprint to zero and to reduce its plastic footprint.
Hugh is replanting juniper on the vineyard and wilding the environment around the distillery. He is also introducing foraging events so that participants can make their own alcoholic infusions.
Distillery tours are also available.
Hugh said: "I am the sole owner and only employee of the distillery. My role involves spirit design, distilling, bottling, labelling, cleaning, delivery and marketing, and it's hard work but I love it."
For more, go to downtondistillery.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here