australia takes out gold in the olympics of distilleries
This week in London, Australian distillery Four Pillars took out the International Gin Producer of the Year for the second year running at the 51st International Wine and Spirits Competition.
More than 4,000 distilleries globally enter the awards each year and the win marks the second in a row for Four Pillars who pivoted to producing hand sanitizer at the start of pandemic and opened its first Sydney bar in 2020.
The original Yarra Valley distillery, 1.5 hour drive from Melbourne city centre, is popular with business events where groups can find a much-loved Rare Dry Gin, Spiced Gin, Spiced Negroni Gin and Bloody Shiraz Gin. Groups of 10 guests can take part in a masterclass and stop by the distillery door for a taste. Groups of up to 30 guests can take advantage of the venue’s new mezzanine venue Eileen’s Loft where they can craft their own bottles of gin.
James Irvine and Four Pillars co-founder Stuart Gegor. Image: Steven Woodburn
The Laboratory can also be hired exclusively for events of up to 100 cocktail style.
The Four Pillars Laboratory in Sydney’s inner-city suburb of Surry Hills, which opened earlier this year, incorporates a gin shop, gin lab and a cocktail bar. Groups can take part in a private masterclass or maker session with one of the distillers.
Distilleries across Australia include group experiences from ‘gin yoga’ and tastings of eucalyptus gum leaf vodka, to behind-the-scenes tours and a master class at Australia’s only ‘giniversity’. To help whet the appetite of event planners, Business Events Australia shares five other distilleries that can be enjoyed by groups when the time is right to visit again:
Archie Rose Gin Collection
Experiences for groups include a cocktail masterclass, blend your own whisky, gin making masterclass and distillery tour.
Archie Rose, Rosebery, Sydney
Archie Rose is the most-awarded distillery in the country with Sydney becoming a hotspot for urban distilling in recent years. Located in the suburb of Rosebery, just a 20-minute drive from the city centre, groups can taste the full range of gin, whisky and vodka as well as unreleased bottles. For events, the Archie Rose Bar opposite the distillery can be hired exclusively for up to 150 guests for a cocktail style event. Alternatively, the mezzanine can be hired for 60 guests for a cocktail style event.
Tamborine Mountain Distillery. Image: Simone G Imagery
Tamborine Mountain Distillery, Gold Coast
You’ll find everything from eucalyptus gum leaf vodka to apricot schnapps at Tamborine Mountain Distillery. Set atop a mountain overlooking the Gold Coast Hinterland, a 45-minute drive from the Gold Coast, the distillery serves up boutique spirits made with native ingredients and flora. Here, groups of up to 40 guests can sample the massive range in the tasting room and have a tour of the distillery museum.
Kangaroo Island Spirits. Image: Adam Bruzzone
Kangaroo Island Spirits, Kangaroo Island
Small-batch, handcrafted Australian gin, vodka and liqueurs can be found at Kangaroo Island Spirits, the winners of the ‘Contemporary Gin’ trophy at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London. Located on Kangaroo Island, a 30-minute flight from Adelaide, groups can visit the rustic cellar door or the tranquil Gin Garden to taste the award-winning spirits with a side of island hospitality. Gin blending masterclasses cater for groups of up to 12 guests at a time and a tour with one of the expert distillers caters for groups of up to 30 guests.
Bass & Flinders Distillery
Bass & Flinders, Mornington Peninsula
Bass & Flinders is focused on a ‘vine-to-bottle’ approach, handcrafting its spirit base from the grapes just outside the door. Surrounded by the vineyards of the region, Bass & Flinders was the first distillery founded on the stunning Mornington Peninsula, just over a one-hour drive from Melbourne city centre. The dedication to local grapes is what gives a unique flavour to the brandy, gin and liqueurs on offer. In addition to a private gin masterclass for up to 22 guests, Bass & Flinders produce bespoke gins for individuals and companies, creating the perfect keepsake from an incentive program in Australia.
Whipper Snapper Distillery
Whipper Snapper, Perth
Known for its handcrafted products made from 100% local West Australian grains, Whipper Snapper started with a dream and an old shed, and today is a thriving urban whisky distillery. Private tastings can be arranged for groups of up to 40 guests at a time and masterclasses of up to 20 guests seated where teams can go behind the scenes with an expert. There is also an on-site Whisky & Coffee Bar holding a maximum of 30 guests for a cocktail style event and event facilities for groups up to 80 guests for a cocktail style event.
