The production assets of Winchester Distillery are to be offered via online auction as part of a strategic transition to a more flexible and asset-light operating model.
Founded in 2014 by Paul Bowler in a small home kitchen in central Winchester, Winchester Distillery has grown into one of Hampshire’s best-known independent spirits producers. Over the past decade the company has developed a portfolio of award-winning products, including Twisted Nose Gin, which is stocked by selected retailers across the UK and has become recognised for its distinctive use of locally sourced watercress.
The disposal of production equipment forms part of a long-term strategic decision to outsource manufacturing to specialist production partners, allowing the business to focus its resources on brand development, product innovation, sales and customer growth.
Like many independent manufacturers, Winchester Distillery has operated in an increasingly challenging environment characterised by rising alcohol duty, increasing regulation, higher energy and labour costs, and growing pressure on margins throughout the premium drinks sector. The transition reflects a broader trend within the industry towards asset-light operating models that reduce fixed costs while increasing flexibility and scalability.
The move will allow Winchester Distillery to retain ownership of its brands, recipes, trademarks, customer relationships and intellectual property, while accessing larger-scale production capability through specialist manufacturing partners.
Assets included in the auction comprise a range of high-quality distillation and processing equipment from the Winchester production facility, including a 2020 iStill 500 NextGen Automated Stainless Steel Still & Infuser Unit, Still Dragon Bain Marie Hybrid Still, and an unused 2020 Speidel Braumeister 500LAutomated Mash Tank. Additional assets include storage vessels, water treatment equipment, transfer pumps and material handling equipment.
The auction presents a rare opportunity for distillers, brewers and beverage manufacturers to acquire well-maintained production equipment from an established and award-winning spirits producer.
Winchester Distillery will continue to develop and market its brands following the transition, with production moving to carefully selected manufacturing partners.
The auction is being managed by BPI and concludes on 11th June. Full details and viewing information are available via the BPI website: https://hubs.li/Q04jTH6h0
