Year In Review: 2023

As we bid farewell to 2023, we’re taking a moment to reflect on a year marked by milestones, growth and exciting developments.

It’s been a pleasure to share so many memorable moments with you all this past year. As the holiday season approaches, we wanted to express our gratitude for your unwavering support so far as we get ready to embark on the next exciting chapter of our distillery after the New Year!

Here's a look back at the highlights that shaped our journey in 2023:

1. Ricky Gervais joins as the new co-owner of Ellers Farm Distillery
We were pleased to announce a major investment by and partnership with Ricky Gervais back in November 2023. The deal with Gervais sees him become a co-owner of Ellers Farm Distillery, taking creative leadership in building global brand awareness and marketing efforts for the company’s leading brand, Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka, but also covers our gins, liqueurs and English single malt whisky.

2. Became a certified B Corp®️ distillery
Our distillery achieved certified B Corp®️ status in September 2023, underscoring our commitment to environmental and social responsibility. This huge milestone in the distillery’s history reinforces our dedication to sustainable and ethical business practices. Our vision is to produce the world's best spirits in the most sustainable way, including taking the initiative as a business to offset our carbon emissions with partners like Ecologi and ClimatePartner. As signatories to The Climate Pledge, we’ve committed to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2040 at the latest.

3. Major UK supermarket listings for Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka
We reached new heights by securing major listings for our Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka in leading UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Asda and Morrisons. This accomplishment not only expands our reach but also recognises the quality and craftsmanship of our products.

4. Apple trees planted in our orchard
Our commitment to sustainable sourcing took root as we planted 361 apple trees in our orchard behind the distillery over the course of two days earlier in the year. The entire Ellers Farm team worked under the supervision of three tree-planting experts and with the help of 18 volunteers from Portakabin. We look forward to the day we can use the British apples in our spirits once the trees have grown, as well as our orchard becoming a haven for wildlife in the area by supporting a huge variety of insects, birds and mammals for the years to come.

5. Exciting product launches
2023 saw Ellers Farm Distillery introduce an array of new products, including our Cognac Cask-Aged Sloe Gin, York City FC Y-Gin, Pineapple & Grapefruit Liqueur and premium Evolution Collection. These innovations showcase our dedication to crafting diverse and exceptional spirits to cater to the evolving tastes of our customers.

6. New team hires
Welcoming new talent to our team has been a key focus this year as we start to scale our operations. The addition of fresh faces has infused new energy and expertise into Ellers Farm Distillery across different departments, contributing to our ambitious plans for future success in both the UK and international markets.

7. Sold out our Founders Release Cask Investment Programme
The Founders Release Cask Investment Programme, as part of our unique whisky collaboration with the renowned Theakston Brewery of Masham, North Yorkshire, completed in December 2023. Thirty eight, 200 litre whisky casks were released as part of our programme, priced at £8,000 each. Our distillery believes this to be one of, if not the highest average sale price of any first cask release programme in the UK.

8. Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka scores big as back-of-shirt sponsor for York City Football Club
In a thrilling moment for Ellers Farm Distillery, Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka proudly took centre stage as the official back-of-shirt sponsor for York City Football Club in September 2023. This exciting collaboration seamlessly displays the elegance of Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka's logo on the players' shirts for the 2023/24 season. More than a sponsorship, this venture symbolises a shared commitment to excellence, teamwork and local community engagement.

So let’s raise a glass! Wishing our incredible customers, community and partners a happy holidays, we’ll see you all in 2024!

The Ellers Farm team