UK-based Ramsbury Single Estate Spirits has expanded its global footprint after launching into the Italian market. New Global Brand Ambassador, Mikul Kalyan, heads up Ramsbury’s latest international foray, while the brand has appointed Rinaldi 1957 as its Italian distributor.

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Launched in 2014, Ramsbury is amongst just a handful of distilleries in the world to craft its award-winning spirits from field to glass, by growing its own wheat and using its own chalk-filtered water source in a fully sustainable production process on its estate in Wiltshire in southwest England.

 

This unique approach, coupled with consumer desire for knowledge on provenance and environmental impact, has seen Ramsbury grow from strength to strength with the UK brand now announcing its launch into the Italian market.

 

Currently available in several other markets, including the UK, Sweden, Philippines, Greece, Denmark and Germany, Ramsbury officially launched last week in Italy at theGINday event in Milan (8–9 September). The tradeshow is dedicated to the world of gin, bringing together brands and bartenders to celebrate and promote the development of the spirit.

 

Mats Olsson, Global Sales Director at Ramsbury said: “We’re delighted to be entering the Italian market for the first time through our distributors, in keeping with our mission to get Ramsbury behind some of the best bars in Italy.”

 

Italy’s gin market – up 10.7% YOY

 

Mr Olsson said that while liqueurs have traditionally dominated the Italian sector, “consumers are increasingly demanding more than an Aperitivo”. The Italian spirits market is expected to grow annually by 0.8 per cent (2019–2023 CAGR), with gin growing by 3.4 per cent (up 10.7 per cent year-on-year) and vodka expected to grow by 2.1 per cent CAGR (up 2.7 per cent YOY). “It’s an exciting time for the sector,” he confirmed, adding: “We believe our introduction into Italy allows us to continue to help build a more sustainable drinks industry, whilst delivering a superior tasting liquid with our inimitable English taste.”

 

Gabriele Rondani, Marketing Director at Rinaldi 1957, distributors of the Ramsbury spirits, said her firm was “excited” to help raise awareness of Ramsbury in the Italian market through on-trade support. “It’s a fantastic spirit that perfectly balances English taste, provenance and sustainability to deliver an all-rounded spirit,” he enthused. “We’re confident that it will be well received by the Italian market as it appeals to the market’s existing appetite for provenance and quality.”

 

New Global Brand Ambassador

 

As the brand expands its global presence, Mikul Kalyan has been brought on board as Global Brand Ambassador to educate the distributor’s sales team in Italy and host workshops with agents in the market to immerse them in the brand. As well as leading the Italian expansion, Mikul will be tasked with raising awareness of the Ramsbury spirits brands globally, as well as maximising the sales potential of the brand by opening new sales channels, relaying the brand story to consumers and the trade, and assisting with training.

 

“With his unrivalled industry knowledge, we’re excited for Mikul to join the Ramsbury team,” remarked Mr Olsson. “We’re sure his creativity, passion for the gin industry and specifically the Ramsbury brand, as well as experience in working with bartenders and the trade, will help reinforce the brand’s reputation as a superior spirits brand amongst the trade,” he added. 

 

Mikul Kalyan said he was first introduced to Ramsbury in 2016 and has since been watching the brand grow. “I therefore jumped at the opportunity to become Global Brand Ambassador and am looking forward to getting stuck into the role and being a part of Ramsbury’s success,” he told us.

The brand is also currently growing its on-trade presence in the UK, following its recent ‘Estate of Mind’ activation at Dalloway Terrace, London.

 

‘Grain-to-glass’ approach

 

Spanning over 19,000 acres in the heart of the Kennet Valley, the Ramsbury Estate produces beer in its brewery, as well as gin and vodka from the distillery. 

 

Operating a true ‘grain-to-glass’ approach, everything from the estate is used in the production of its liquid, which is distilled in its 43-plate copper column, allowing for complete control over the process. ‘Through the combination of tradition and innovative thinking, the result is a perfect product which delivers inimitable English taste’, the firm states.

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www.ramsburyestates.co.uk