Tell us about your background and what led you to becoming a producer on the Central Coast
Before making gin I had Australia’s largest wholesale herb nursery based in Warnervale, the most plants I grew in a year was 983,000. Very much into plants, I decided after selling the business I still wanted to work with plants with distilling really fitting the bill because gin is full of botanicals . Botanicals equals plants. I like to say I went from putting plants in pots to putting plants in bottles, I find the plants taste much nicer in bottles.
What do you enjoy most about connecting with visitors to your business?
Creating quality spirits and seeing visitors being uplifted with our quality products.
What makes your products unique?
All of our products have got to be supremely enjoyable to drink and one of our slogans is flawless, that is the aim of every drink that’s ever been made a Distillery Botanica. We have absolute dedication to creating a quality drink over all others.
What should people expect when they visit your venue?
To walk through a garden that’s had immense care with joyous orange and blue flowers throughout. A very unique distillery that has a fountain in the shape of a martini glass with 10 cascading waterfalls. This leads to the distillery door for an uplifting tasting of our spirits.
Are you able to give us a preview of any innovative projects (e.g., new products, experiences, promotions or collaborations) that you are working on?
We are doing trials at the moment on making a pearl gin collaborating with Broken Bay Pearl Farm including botanicals from the distillery and citrus grown in the hinterland of the Central Coast. Highlighting Central Coast produce.
What do you think makes the Central Coast such a great place for people to establish a food or beverage business?
It’s great because being between Sydney & Newcastle there is probably a total of 8 million people living in a 2 hour radius, we get a lot of Sydney, Newcastle & Canberra day trippers. They want to experience driving through the coastal countryside and enjoy world class spirits.
Who would you recommend as other ‘must try’ food / drink producers on the Central Coast?
Firescreek Winery, they make fruit & botanical wine just around the corner.
What do you think is the best kept secret on the Central Coast?
The hinterland of the Central Coast with incredible produce throughout.
When you’re not making awesome food / drink, what do you love doing in your spare time?
I like to play the slide guitar with the Mississippi blues.