VIC

Morgan Vineyards is a tribute to Roger Morgan, who foresaw the potential of the upper Yarra property and planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir in 1971. The picturesque vineyard expanded over the years to include more Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay, totaling 12 acres under vine.

In 2009, Simon and Michele Gunther took over Morgan Vineyards and embarked on a complete renovation and rejuvenation of the estate. With a strong commitment to excellence, Simon, Michele, and their son Samuel strive to position Morgans Winery and Distillery as one of the Yarra Valley’s leading quality producers. They invite all to savor the fruits of their labor and enjoy the exquisite wines created from the old vines, dry-grown, and 100% estate-grown grapes.

Located in an unassuming warehouse at the heart of South Melbourne, the Melbourne Gin Company (MGC) operates its alembic stills, handcrafted from copper and shaped over tree stumps, to craft their exceptional spirits. Founder Andrew Marks, inspired by a literary passage about the ideal martini and driven by his passion for winemaking, ventured into the world of gin distillation to create Melbourne’s first Melbourne Dry Gin. With 20 years of winemaking expertise, Andrew embarked on an alchemical journey to infuse the spirit with the essence of the cultural capital, resulting in MGC’s refreshing and unique gin. The distillery’s dedication to the craft and its intriguing location make it a hidden gem in the world of Australian gin.

Melbourne Gin Company (MGC) was founded by Andrew Marks in the picturesque Yarra Valley. Inspired by a literary passage about the ideal martini, Andrew’s passion for winemaking and the audacious challenge of crafting gin led him to create Melbourne’s first Melbourne Dry Gin. With 20 years of winemaking experience, Andrew embarked on an alchemical journey to infuse the spirit with the essence of the cultural capital, resulting in MGC’s refreshing and unique gin.

With a rich heritage of at least five generations of hoteliers in their family, the creators of Mary Monica Gin knew precisely what they wanted to achieve with their craft. Their vision centered around the quality and freshness of botanicals, leading them to grow key ingredients themselves to ensure the utmost excellence.

A unique aspect of their process involves picking the essential botanicals at the peak of their season and distilling them within a remarkable 24-hour timeframe. This dedication to timing ensures unparalleled freshness and flavor. Once a season’s batch is sold out, they patiently wait until the next harvest to create a new batch, embracing the importance of patience and authenticity in their gin-making approach.

The brand’s name, “Mary Monica,” holds deep significance as it pays tribute to their Great, Great Grandmother. She was a fearless and resilient woman who lived through challenging times during the depression, running pubs in Melbourne. Her legacy serves as an inspiration to the creators, who aspire to emulate her strength, vitality, love of family, and lively spirit in all they do.

Behind Mary Monica Gin, a dynamic team of five individuals drives the various aspects of marketing, distilling, orchard management, and farming. Paul, Gayle, James (the distiller), Abbey, and Luke work together to uphold the brand’s values and bring the essence of Mary Monica’s character into every bottle they produce.

Logan’s Micro Distillery is embarking on an exciting journey, having acquired a picturesque small acreage property on the Tambo River in Swan Reach, VIC. Their ambitious plans include establishing a Distillery in East Gippsland and creating their own on-site Hobby Farm. The farm will be home to Lambs, Calves, Chicks, Guinea Fowl, and Bees, fostering a sustainable and diverse environment.

On the Distillery side, they are creating an extensive on-site orchard and botanicals garden, boasting a variety of produce such as Mulberries, Lilly Pillies, Sloe Berries, Cherries, Figs, Lemons, and more. A dedicated Juniper plantation is also on the horizon, ensuring a locally-sourced bounty for their spirits. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and they are eagerly anticipating sharing this remarkable journey with everyone. The goal is to have their Distillery Shed operational by March 2024, bringing their passion for craft spirits to life.

Loch Brewery & Distillery’s acclaimed spirits and ales have a dreamy origin. It all began with a workplace discussion about whisky, fueled by a fascination with single malts. An opportunity to learn about whisky making in Tasmania and visits to small breweries in the UK ignited the desire to create something exceptional.

Discovering the secret that good whisky starts with a quality beer base, the idea to craft old-fashioned ales alongside whisky emerged. The search for the perfect location led them to a charming 100-year-old red brick bank in the small village of Loch, South Gippsland. Here, they transformed the space into a home for their stills and a welcoming cellar door. Adjacent to the bank, a derelict butcher’s shop now houses their 12hL brewery.

With their knowledge growing, they decided to design and build their own British-style brewery. A skilled stainless fabricator in Leongatha brought their vision to life, creating a unique and fully operational brewery in just five months.

When it came to stills, they sought Alembic Copper Pot Stills, a design with a history spanning over seven centuries. Finding this design challenging to access in Australia, they turned to a specialized company in Portugal that hand-beats these exquisite pot stills. The result: stunning stills that are not only visually captivating but also perfect for distilling.

With everything in place, commercial production began in March 2014, making Loch Brewery & Distillery’s dream of crafting exceptional spirits and ales a reality.