Our Story

OUR STORY

WE’RE HERE BECAUSE OF APPLES

You read that right. Our journey so far has been a bit, well, unconventional. Just the way we like it.

MEET CHRIS

Our founder’s adventurous spirit, passion for sustainability and give-it-a-go attitude are what led to him starting Dutch Barn Vodka. After spotting perfectly good apples laying in an abandoned Yorkshire orchard, he decided to do something about it. What began with a tiny pot still (that, against all odds, didn’t blow up) then evolved into a cutting-edge vodka distillery in a Dutch barn - ironically the birth of a British brand created to make a difference…

ASTONISHINGLY GREAT VODKA

Who knew apples could make brilliant vodka? Chris did, and thankfully he’s not the only one to agree. From getting surprisingly good feedback on his early attempts (and zero casualties) after learning on the job. To now proudly gracing supermarkets all over the UK. Dutch Barn Vodka has earned a bit of a reputation. Not only because it’s crisp and delightfully smooth, but because it’s better for the planet, too. But more on that later.

“SUSTAINABILITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN CLOSE TO MY HEART - FOR IF WE DON'T TAKE POSITIVE STEPS, THERE WON'T BE A PLANET TO DRINK GOOD VODKA ON. SO I SET OUT TO MAKE BLOODY GOOD VODKA AS SUSTAINABLY AS POSSIBLE.”

CHRIS FRASER, FOUNDER OF DUTCH BARN VODKA

MAKING MOVES

Determined to get his vodka in front of more people, Chris realised he needed to think big. Incidentally, he found an old Dutch barn on Ellers Farm near York which became the home of his distillery. Built in 2021, he filled it with state-of-the-art equipment to create the best possible vodka that’s committed to sustainability. Fast forward to today and you can find Dutch Barn Vodka in major UK supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Tesco, Costco and ASDA.

ALONG CAME RICKY

In November 2023, global superstar and all-round legend Ricky Gervais announced he would be joining as the new co-owner of Ellers Farm Distillery. He’s partial to a drink, yes – but he also wanted to work with a sustainable spirits business that’s actually doing some good. So after diving in feet (and bottle) first, he took the reins on creative leadership whilst making sure everyone knows about Dutch Barn Vodka.