Meet the Australian handmade gin & spirit makers
Sally Richardson
As my friends will tell you, I love a good drink, so I decided to make my own gin and vodka! As one does of course. Since arriving in the beautiful Otways in 2014, I’ve embraced the people and the amazing Otways produce. I used to own and run the Forrest General Store, and share my crazy life with family, friends and my fur family. I love the outdoor adventure opportunities in the Otways and you’ll often find me walking my dogs or riding my bike on one of the many trails around after a long day in the store. My dream has always been to create distilled spirits and in July 2019 I began working with my friend Wayne from @bathtub_gin_co to start learning the art of distilling. It’s been a wonderful journey till now. My friends have been my taste testers and have encouraged me along the way. I’m just beginning… watch this space!
Wayne Bourke
Wayne is my ‘Distillery Dad’. He teaches me so much and guides me through the various distilling processes and accommodates all my crazy ideas. He’s always open to trying something new and puts up with car loads of native and farmed Otways produce I bring to him. Together we create fine-tasting spirits at his small batch distillery, @bathtub_gin_co in Brunswick, Victoria. Wayne is an accomplished distiller, creator and all round great bloke. I couldn’t do this without him.
Dinny Goonan
Meet my friend Dinny from @dinnygoonan, winemaker extraordinaire, and winner of numerous awards for his cool climate wines. I love a good collaboration and was able to use the pressings (pomace) from his 2020 vintage to produce two new products for the distillery. It was an experiment that could go either way, but thank God, Dinny loves the result of our new Winter Gin and Grappa! And if Dinny says it’s good, then you know it is. Cheers my friend! Here’s to many more collaborations in the future!
Tom Dennis
The beautiful historic homestead @tarndie is home to Tom Dennis and his family. Located at Warncoort, near Birregurra, the property boasts an established orchard and garden comprising of a plethora of trees and shrubs that we have been able to harvest for our spirits. Tom is a good friend, allowing me to run around his property harvesting mint, rosemary, lemons and lemon eucalyptus. Cheers Tom!
Ami Hillege
Ami from @otwayfields whose products we sell at the @forrestgeneralstore is one of my best friends, and has brought her award winning preserve making skills to our distillery product line. Ami is also a CWA cookery judge and knows what a good marmalade or cordial needs to look and taste like. Besides making our cordials and marmalades, she has created our delicious Juniper Salt Rub recipe and continues to help grow our product line with the excess wastes from our distilling processes. Thank you my friend!