Winchester Distillery seeks £375,000 investment

English gin and vodka maker Winchester Distillery has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £375,000 (US$483,000) to expand its business.

The team at Winchester Distillery

Founded in 2014, the Hampshire-based distillery has reported average year-on-year sales have grown 82% to £714,085 (US$919,600) in November 2018, a profit of £68,055 (US$87,642).

Winchester Distillery produces up to 1,000 bottles per week – almost full capacity for the site – and is now seeking funding to realise its growth ambitions to increase production, grow sales in the UK, export to other markets and launch a rum and whisky. It will also use the money to install a brewhouse and open a gift shop on site.

Winchester Distillery’s portfolio includes Twisted Nose Watercress Gin

At the time of writing, the crowdfunding had reached £17,690 (US$22,781). Further details can be found at crowdcube.com/winchesterdistillery.

The distillery currently produces a range of gins and vodkas, including Twisted Nose Watercress Gin, Twisted Nose Wasabi Vodka, Winchester Dry Gin and Winchester Distillery Rhubarb and Ginger Gin.

A statement posted on the distillery’s website said: “With Winchester Distillery’s fifth birthday approaching we are delighted to be in the position, with our annual average sales growth of over 80% year on year, to take the business to the next level.

“Having more capacity will mean we can make more of our well-loved spirits so we can enter new markets both here in the UK and overseas.”

In July last year, Winchester Distillery launched a limited edition seasonal expression, called Summer Garden Gin.