Gin has really blown up in popularity over the past decade or so, and where there was once only one or two key distilleries in WA, there are now over 10.
Many are located in the Swan Valley and within easy driving distance of Perth, some open to the public for tastings and cellar door purchases, making for a great day-trip activity and wine tour alternative. We’ve put together a list of some of the most popular gin distilleries in WA, so all you need to do now is stock up on tonic.
Old Young’s
Known for their rich and complex flavours, Old Young’s hand-crafted spirits are a staple of the Swan Valley. Located in Henley Brook, the distillery was established in 2016 and many of their gins have an emphasis on using Australian and local products, including Australian sugar cane, Swan Valley grapes and Australian wheat. For a classic G&T you can’t go past Old Young’s navy-strength ‘Common Gin’ infused with Tuscan Juniper. Or, celebrate local culture with their Six Seasons Gin, highlighting the six seasons of the Noongar people indigenous to the area. Enjoy notes of coriander, bush mint and desert lime to name a few. Visit their distillery in Henley Brook for a 40 min tasting session, trying out a range of their gins and vodkas, both neat and mixed. Due to restrictions, make sure to book ahead: the current group booking range is four to ten people.
Open Monday to Sunday 11am-5pm
10581C West Swan Road, Henley Brook.
Swan Valley Gin Co
With a reputation for their irresistible artisanal dry gins, Swan Valley Gin Co. is a must see in the region. Using Pandemonium Estate wine as a base, the distillery offers a small yet diverse range of gins. Their gins often feature local and indigenous ingredients such as quandongs and salt bush, with their flagship range ‘Diablo’ inspired by Spanish notes and flavours. From their Mediterranean Dry Gin to Blanco Lime, there’s something to suit all preferences; they even make a Strawberry Dry Gin made using strawberries from the Swan Valley. A standout from this range is their Spiced Cumquat Gin. The beautiful small-batch mix includes local cumquats, Kashmiri chilli and fresh turmeric. Next time you’re in the Swan Valley make sure to stop by for a tasting flight at their Gintoneria Bar, located at their cellar door.
Open Friday to Sunday 11am-5pm. 1050 Great Northern Hwy, Baskerville
https://swanvalleygincompany.com.au/.
Sin Gin Distillery
A nano brewery recently relocated to the Swan Valley, Sin Gin produce seven gins all inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins. They offer private gin tastings out of their distillery located in the Swan Settlers Market on Lennard Street, where you’ll get to try the whole range as the distiller talks you through the unique qualities of each gin (you’ll feel like you need to go to confession by the end of it). Standing by their motto of ‘it’s not a sin to prefer a gin’, you can enjoy a Sloth gin on a lazy summer’s day, or perhaps spice things up with a sensual Lust gin packed with lemon myrtle to add a bit of zest to your evening. Available for groups sizes between 8 to 16, sessions run for 45 minutes and need to be booked at least three days in advance. You can book by getting in touch with Kate here.
Open Saturdays, Sundays & adjacent Public Holidays 9am to 5pm.
Swan Settlers Market, 124 Lennard Street, Herne Hill.
https://singindistillery.com.au
Wandering Distillery
Situated in O’Connor, Wandering Distillery is tantalisingly close for a quick tasting or some expert advice on gin. Originally from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula and led by distiller Wade Willcocks, Wandering takes pride in sourcing as locally as possible with some botanicals found literally in their own back yard. With a small and simple range these gins are best enjoyed with your favourite tonic and good company. Launched just last year during COVID lockdowns, their newest addition Odyssey is a complex mix of nine botanicals, including finger lime, lemon myrtle, hemp and rosemary.
You can call to book a tasting, and visit their website for more details.
Opening times determined by booking.
Unit 4, 50 Ladner Street, O’Connor.
https://wanderingdistillery.com.au
Margaret River Distilling Company
Although perhaps a little far for a casual day-trip, if you are a gin fanatic and want to cover all your bases, the Margaret River Distilling Company is renowned as the home of Giniversity. With native botanicals adding a bit of a local twist, Giniversity aims to encapsulate the beauty of the region in every bottle. For true nature-lovers, the Australian Native gin is a delectable concoction that celebrates emu plum, Geraldton wax, lemon myrtle and orris root. If planning a weekend away, the nearby Riverglen Chalets are known as Giniversity Campus, and are a great way for gin lovers to enjoy natural botanicals as well as blending and distillation classes. The cellar door is fully open to the public, and offers locally roasted coffee and local-made beer and wine alongside tasting flights of the entire range.
Open Monday to Sunday from 10am – 7pm.
Maxwell Street (off Carters Road), Margaret River
https://www.distillery.com.au/margaret-river
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