Raise a glass to Wiltshire’s finest!

Round & About

From rich local ales to caramel-kissed cream liqueurs and sparkling English wine, Wiltshire’s producers are serving up true festive cheer

May I raise a toast? Please join me in raising a glass to our local alcohol producers! The region’s brilliant breweries, distilleries and vineyards are clinking glasses with cheers to another great year of home-grown flavour.  

From ales to guarantee a hoppy Christmas to festive spirits and liqueurs, here’s our merry meander through the producers within cork-popping distance. 

At the heart of Wiltshire’s drinks scene sits Ramsbury Distillery, a true local hero. Nestled in rolling farmland, Ramsbury isn’t just about distilling; it’s about doing it sustainably, using ingredients grown right on the estate. The team’s “field-to-bottle” approach produces beautiful gin, smooth vodka and craft beer that captures the local flavour. If you can swing a visit, do; the distillery tours are the stuff of local legend (and come with plenty of samples); ramsbury.com 

Get ready to fall in love! The Christmas Cream Liqueur from The Wiltshire Liqueur Company is made in a single October batch each year. This indulgent tipple offers a velvety twist on classic Irish cream; richer, smoother and laced with a delicious caramel warmth, available in 50cl (£29.60) and 20cl (£16.50) bottles, with free delivery, and personalisation is available across some of the range. Once this year’s batch is gone, it’s gone! wiltshireliqueur.com 

Wiltshire’s brewing heritage runs deep, and the locals are keeping this spirit alive in style. Arkell’s Brewery is one of the oldest family breweries in the country, pouring pints since 1843. Their range includes traditional ales and seasonal specials, including a few winter warmers; arkells.com. In a more modern craft corner, Twisted Brewing in Westbury brings fun and flavour to the fore. Expect creative names, bold hops, and beer that’s anything but ordinary; twisted-brewing.com 

Hop Back Brewery based in Downton, is another local favourite, famous for its award-winning Summer Lightning pale ale, though the team’s seasonal brews shine just as brightly; hopback.co.uk 

Stone Henge Ales combine ancient inspiration with modern craft, brewing rich, characterful beers from the heart of Wiltshire; stonehengeales.co.uk. And for something a little newer, Stone Daisy Brewery is quietly building a cult following with small-batch brews and big local flavour; stonedaisy.co.uk. And Long Dog Brewery offers proof that small-scale doesn’t mean small ambition, with a loyal following who swear by the cask ales and there’s a taproom too; longdogbrewery.co.uk 

Beyond the beer, Wiltshire’s distillers are stirring up quite the scene. Witchmark Distillery embraces local folklore and flavour alike; their handcrafted gins feel a little bit magical (in every sense); witchmark.co.uk 

Nearby, Downton Distillery makes spirits with purpose. The team believe that craft should improve the place it comes from. The distillery sits on the southwest Wiltshire Downs. “This chalk landscape shapes every decision, from sourcing to packaging,” Hugh Anderson tells us. “The spirits stand out because they taste exceptional.” Every release tells a story. Explorer’s Gin champions discovery. Eau de Vie de Cidre transforms leftover cider into something refined. The limited Damson series proves that experimentation leads to extraordinary results. Both the Explorer’s & Great Bustard Gin are international award-winning spirits, while the new Orchard Spirits range achieved finalist status for every bottle entered the Great British Food Awards; downtondistillery.com 

It’s also worth raising a glass to The Gin Guild, which calls Wiltshire home, a fitting base for the guardians of all things juniper. 

For those who love real core values, Rutt’s Lane Cider brings classic West Country know-how to the table. Crafted with care and character, their small-batch ciders are a love letter to Wiltshire apples; the perfect partner to a winter cheese board or Boxing Day leftovers; ruttslanecider.co.uk 

And you can raise a glass to local luxury this season thanks to All Angels Vineyard, a family-run local producer crafting exceptional English sparkling wines from their own south-facing vineyards. Their flagship Classic Cuvée and Sparkling Rosé are aged for a minimum of six years, delivering refined flavour and fine bubbles that stand out in the English sparkling scene. Ideal for festive gifting or a luxurious tipple; allangels.com