If wine springs to mind when you think of Clare, you’ve got another thing coming!
Located in the picturesque Clare Valley at The Curly Goose boutique event venue, Sawmill Gin offers a unique experience for gin lovers and foodies alike. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Sophie and David Whitehead, this distillery is all about bringing a premium gin experience to one of South Australia’s most beautiful wine regions.
Distiller David has been making waves in the gin world since they opened three years ago. They were the only distillery in Clare and now their gin is found in many of the region’s best restaurants.
“We started just doing a day here and there, then two days a week, then three… now we’re an established operator here in Clare,” David says. “It’s great to give people a different taste of Clare — it’s not all wine!”
And taste they do! Sawmill Gin has won multiple awards locally at Tasting Australia, the Melbourne Royal Spirits Competition and the Sydney Royal Spirits Competition, and internationally at the London Spirits Competition, cementing its place as a premium gin distiller.
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- Image Credit :: John Krüger
“We really like to honour the traditional methods using the classic London dry techniques, with a little barrel aging to give extra flavour,” says David. The result is a gin that’s not trying to be flashy or trendy — just good old-fashioned quality.
Sample some of the finest gin at their distillery while overlooking the stunning view of the valley’s vines. Every weekend, Chef Sophie serves up delicious platters with local ingredients like homemade potstickers and freshly baked bread. The food is right up there with fine-dining quality!
And it’s a dog-friendly venue, so bring your furry friends along. You might even meet the couple’s own pooches, Henry and Millie. Try not to get starstruck when you realise Henry has a gold medal winning gin named after him: Mr Wriggles.
Put down the vino and give your tastebuds something new to try on your next trip to Clare. Sawmill Gin is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 4pm.
DON’T FORGET THE GOOSE!
This couple wears many hats! The Curly Goose isn’t just the home of Sawmill Gin — it’s also a boutique event space and accommodation offering. Originally a winery, David and Sophie didn’t want that beauty to go to waste. So now, they offer events, catering and on-site accommodation for couples with The Nest. They really do it all!
88 Saw Mill Road, Sevenhill
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