Proof of Purpose: Making Sustainability Work - Ginposium 2026
Sara Sergent
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Alpine Distilling
Sustainability has become a universal talking point, but in practice, it demands integrity, creativity, and measurable results. This session will provide a clear, actionable framework for distillers to embed sustainability into their operations, regardless of size or budget.
As CEO and Master Botanical Distiller at Alpine Distilling, Sara brings over a decade of experience leading an independent spirits company from distillery buildout to global brand development with sustainability at its core.
Their operations have been recognised as Utah’s Green Business of the Year twice and Recycle Utah’s Green Business of the Year, reflecting their commitment to embedding sustainability into every layer of production, packaging, and hospitality.
Drawing on Alpine Distilling’s real-world experience, the Gin Guild’s #GreenerGin Movement and Sustainability toolkit, and many sustainability workshops and presentations the talk will outline five principles that help gin distillers/distilleries save money, reduce waste, and strengthen reputation:
- Efficiency First: Small operational shifts that create big savings.
- Design for Longevity: Build once, build right.
- Waste Has Value: Repurpose materials and rethink packaging.
- Partner, Don’t Just Purchase: Work with vendors who share your standards.
- Measure, Then Communicate: Proof before promotion.
- The session also addresses greenwashing and authenticity, why character and transparency are now the true currency of sustainable distilling, and how measurable change, not marketing, defines leadership in this space.
A digital takeaway booklet (Sustainability Playbook) will accompany the session, containing detailed examples, savings strategies, and links to resources (including the Gin Guild’s Sustainability Packet) allowing flexibility for a shorter or extended time slot.
Learning Objectives:
- Sustainability without integration is decoration. Sustainability with integrity is legacy.
- Efficiency
- Design for Longevity
- Waste Value
- Measurable Tactics
About Sara
Sara Sergent is CEO & Master Botanical Distiller at Alpine Distilling. Recognized as Utah Business’s CEO of the Year (2025) for innovation and community impact, she has also led Alpine to be named Green Business of the Year multiple times for demonstrable sustainability excellence across production, distillery buildouts, hospitality, to global brand development, and packaging.
Sara crafts Alpine’s botanical portfolio using a 100 % vapor-extraction method and sources botanicals globally. Under her stewardship, Alpine has earned international awards and partnered with haute hotels and design programs. A past inductee as a Warden Rectifier of the Gin Guild, she is passionate about advancing gin knowledge and sustainability worldwide.
An experienced communicator, Sara has appeared on podcasts, radio and television, and excels at translating technical and business principles into engaging narratives. She is deeply committed to sharing best practices that make distilleries more sustainable, profitable, and future-ready.
Buy tickets to Ginposium online now:
Ginposium 2026
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- 12th June 2026
- RSA House, London
The views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views or position of The Gin Guild.
Presentations are provided for general information and were accurate to the best of the speakers’ knowledge at the time of recording. The Gin Guild does not accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies, nor for any actions taken in reliance on the information provided.