{"id":180400,"date":"2026-02-27T03:13:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T01:13:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.altamuradistilleries.com\/?p=180400"},"modified":"2026-09-02T17:24:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T15:24:41","slug":"altamura-distilleries-partners-with-born-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.altamuradistilleries.com\/en\/press-release\/altamura-distilleries-partners-with-born-free\/","title":{"rendered":"From Puglia to Africa: Altamura Distilleries Partners with Born Free with a Joint Global Mission to Protect Wildlife"},"content":{"rendered":"

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From Puglia to Africa: Altamura Distilleries Partners with Born Free with a Joint Global Mission to Protect Wildlife<\/h2>\n

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Italy – Feb 2026:<\/b> Altamura Distilleries <\/b>has announced a new global partnership with Born Free, <\/b>an international wildlife charity dedicated to protecting wild animals and preserving wildlife in their natural habitats. The collaboration brings together two worlds connected by a powerful shared symbol: the lion.<\/p>\n

For both Altamura Distilleries<\/b> and Born Free<\/b>, the lion symbolises courage, guardianship and the fight for freedom. It is also the historic emblem of the city of Altamura in Puglia, <\/b>whose lioness has appeared on the city\u2019s coat of arms and stone architecture for centuries as a protector of the land and its famed wheat fields. The Altamura Distilleries Vodka lioness is drawn directly from this legacy.<\/p>\n

For Born Free, the lion lies at the heart of the charity\u2019s identity and origins. The lion in Born Free\u2019s logo represents Elsa, the lioness made famous in the 1966 film Born Free<\/i>, in which the charity\u2019s co-founders, Bill Travers MBE and Dame Virginia McKenna DBE, starred. IBill,Virginia and their eldest son, Will Travers OBE, later went on set up the organisation and to dedicate their lives to ensuring that wild animals can live freely, with dignity and protection.<\/p>\n

This shared symbolism forms the heart of the partnership. Altamura Distilleries Vodka and Born Free <\/b>are united by a belief in heritage, identity, and the importance of protecting what is precious.<\/p>\n

In a partnership built on purpose, in support of Born Free\u2019s mission, Altamura Distilleries Vodka will introduce a series of commitments designed to raise awareness and generate meaningful impact:<\/p>\n

\u2022 A corporate donation from Altamura Distilleries Vodka, supporting Born Free\u2019s work rescuing animals from captive exploitation and protecting threatened species in the wild.
\n\u2022 A calendar of fundraising events worldwide, bringing together hospitality communities, industry partners, and supporters.
\n\u2022 A dedicated Altamura Distilleries Vodka cocktail bar at Born Free\u2019s Gala in London in March, serving signature drinks inspired by the landscapes and species the charity protects.
\n\u2022 A commitment to explore further global activations, combining storytelling, culture, and gastronomy to help elevate Born Free\u2019s message internationally.<\/p>\n

Molly Rutherford, corporate partnerships manager at Born Free, commented: <\/b>\u201cWe are thrilled to welcome Altamura Distilleries Vodka<\/b> as a global partner. The connection between Born Free and the distillery, through the symbolism of the lion,<\/b> is a powerful and authentic foundation for this collaboration. Their commitment to supporting our work, from creating meaningful fundraising moments to helping amplify our mission, will make a tangible difference to the lives of wild animals in need. We look forward to building this partnership together and inspiring more people to stand with us to protect wildlife and keep it in the wild<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank Grillo, co-founder, Altamura Distilleries,<\/b> commented:<\/b>
\n\u201cBorn Free\u2019s story has inspired generations, and their lions have always symbolised strength, heritage, and protection. The fact that our own emblem is the Lion of Puglia makes this partnership especially meaningful. It reflects a shared respect for history, for the natural world, and for the responsibility we all have to safeguard it. We are incredibly honoured to stand beside Born Free and help support their mission to protect wild animals around the world. This partnership is about more than fundraising. It is about using our voice, our craft, and our global community to help safeguard the natural world for future generations. When we say \u201cLet\u2019s Roar\u201d, we really mean it!<\/p>\n

A Story Rooted in Connection<\/b><\/p>\n

For consumers, the partnership creates a new way to engage with a brand driven not just by craftsmanship but by conscience. Each sold bottle of Altamura Distilleries Vodka<\/span> offers a contribution to the protection of wildlife, while events and activations will offer opportunities to learn, experience, and support Born Free\u2019s work in an accessible, cultural, and hospitality-driven setting.<\/p>\n

At a time when global wildlife faces unprecedented challenges, this collaboration harnesses the emotional power of storytelling, the creativity of the drinks world, and the universal symbolism of the lion to inspire audiences worldwide.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″ mobile_visibility=”yes”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ back_color=”color-lxmt” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ auto_height_device=”yes” content_parallax=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”977663″ back_color_type=”uncode-palette”][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ align_horizontal=”align_center” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”777078″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″ mobile_visibility=”yes”][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”801204″ el_class=”pressrelease”]Notes to editors:<\/strong>
\nAltamura Distilleries is the creator of the world\u2019s first vodka distilled entirely from 100% Altamura durum wheat – the same PDO-protected grain behind Pane di Altamura, the world\u2019s only bread with Protected Designation of Origin status.
\nFounded by Frank Grillo and Steve Acuna, two Americans who relocated to Puglia in southern Italy, Altamura Distilleries Vodka is triple distilled and bottled at 43% ABV to preserve the wheat\u2019s distinctive character: a smooth, full-bodied spirit with umami depth, cereal sweetness and a clean, warming finish.
\nTriple distilled and bottled at 43% ABV, Altamura Distilleries Vodka has quickly gained international recognition. Wine Enthusiast awarded the vodka 94 points, while the brand has received Double Gold and Best Imported Vodka at The Fifty Best, two Gold Medals at the Global Spirits Masters and Best International Vodka at the 2023 New Orleans Spirits Competition during Tales of the Cocktail.
\nIt was also named in the Drinks International Bartenders\u2019 Brands Report in 2026 and has served as the Official Vodka Partner of The World\u2019s 50 Best Hotels since 2025.
\nAltamura Distilleries Vodka is available in the United Kingdom and Italy via Amazon, in the United Kingdom via Master of Malt for \u00a332.50, and in the United States through the Altamura Distilleries website at www.altamuradistilleries.com.<\/p>\n

PRESS CONTACTS<\/strong>
\nAntoni Heatley | antoni@cutlasscomms.com | +44 (0)7852 985 773\u2028Tim Harfield | tim@cutlasscomms.com IG @altamuradistilleries | @cutlasscomms[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″ mobile_visibility=”yes”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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