Awards

We are delighted and proud that South Downs Cellars and our customers have been chosen from the hundreds of entries to be the recipients of the following awards:

Independent Drinks Retailer of the Year 2022

Drinks Retailing Awards

"There is no doubt that the world of drinks retailing has shone brightly throughout the pandemic, with innovation to of eh agenda. From online tastings and local engagement to the successful development of ecommerce platforms, the sector has evolved to meet new consumer demands".

The Independent Drinks Retailer of the Year Award is a highly contested award described as an award for independent retailers that excel across the board in beers, wines, spirits and ciders. Judges were looking for creativity, business flair and the role they play in educating and exciting their local communities with their drinks offerings. We were delighted to be shortlisted in the final three and thrilled to be chosen as the winner and introduced as "a highly professional organisation with a keen eye on marketing, and an understanding of the positive impact various forms of activity have on the business. Lucy and her team also recognise the importance of links with the local community, with an events programme that forges connections as well as providing direct commercial opportunities..."

Independent Drinks Retailer of the Year 2020

Drinks Retailing Awards

The Drinks Retailing Awards are the drinks trade’s biggest annual highlight, bringing together the leading lights in retail and rewarding the greatest innovators. Competition was fierce as the awards received a record number of entries, but a rigorous judging process eventually named 21 overall winners.

The Independent Drinks Retailer of the Year Award is a highly contested award described as an award for independent retailers that excel across the board in beers, wines, spirits, ciders, and of course hard seltzers! Judges were looking for creativity, business flair and the role they play in educating and exciting their local communities with their drinks offerings. We were delighted to be shortlisted in the final four and thrilled to be chosen as the winner and introduced as "a fantastic example of a superb all-round drinks retailer that excels in every category, so well done to the team."

Independent Retailer of the Year 2017

The Drinks Business Awards

South Downs Cellars scooped the independent retailer of the year award, with the judges praising the “friendly”, “efficient and successful business” that really is part of its local community. They also noted the plethora of tastings and “real energy” in its approach, which helps give the retailer “masses of personality” as well as good sales results.

We never stop looking around, listening to our customers and trying out new ideas to excite our team and the community around us,” the team says – and it seems to be bearing fruit.

Sussex Wine Merchant of the Year 2017 & 2018

Muddy Stiletto Awards

The ethos of the Muddy Stilettos is all about celebrating and supporting the most unique, interesting, brilliant lifestyle businesses and we hope that we've helped to shine a light on the amazing talent in our region. The response to the Awards this year has been incredible with up to 100,000 people per day voting across all the Muddy Stiletto sites. With over 43% of the votes in the Wine Merchant category, South Downs Cellars was a resounding winner of this competitive category.

Independent Drinks Retailer of the Year 2016

Drinks Retailing Awards

Martin Green, editor at Off Licence News magazine, which runs the awards, said: “The Drinks Retailing Awards’ judging process is known to be the most rigorous in the industry, and while the big retailers fight it out and cull ranges, the UK’s wonderful independent wine merchants, spirits specialists and beer shops have emerged as the go-to places for discerning drinks lovers. The quality of nominees was better than ever this year, and it is fantastic to see how healthy this sector of the market is.”

Independent Retailer of the Year 2015

International Wine & Spirits Competition

Celebrating its 46th year, the IWSC was the first competition of its kind and is now renowned for its rigorous seven month judging process which includes a double blind tasting and chemical analysis. Truly international in its reach, entrants are judged from all over the world by over 300 experts from 30 different countries.

"West Sussex based, South Downs Cellars, has been named Independent Retailer of the Year for its extensive variety and offering. With a fluidly growing range of wines, beers and spirits spanning both local and global produce and its newly launched loyalty scheme, South Downs Cellar were rewarded for consistently catering to consumers’ needs whilst adding to their repertoire and knowledge." IWSC Judging Panel, 2015.

Regional Merchant of the Year for South and South East England

International Wine Challenge 2015

“The International Wine Challenge is more than just a celebration of world-class winemakers. We also reward top wine merchants. These are the companies that make the extra effort to sell world-class wines to their customers, and who have demonstrated particular passion and expertise in doing so. They are the top specialists in wines from different wine regions, and the outstanding retailers in every corner of the UK. They have demonstrated their commitment to customers and winemakers alike over the past year, and we are proud to recognise their hard work.” Charles Metcalfe, Co-Chairman of the International Wine Challenge.

Small Independent Wine Retailer of the Year - Runner Up

Decanter Retailer of the Year Awards 2015

The annual Decanter Retailer Awards aim to offer wine drinkers in the UK an indispensable guide to the best wine shops and wine lists on the high street. "The aim of these awards is to celebrate and champion the very best wine retailers out there, rewarding imagination, drive, creativity, energy, evangelism - and even hedonism. After all, one of the primary duties of wine is to be fun." Peter Richards MW, Chairman of the Decanter Retailer Awards.