Exploring Australia’s Finest Gins: Giniversity and Adelaide Hills Distillery
Introduction
Australia is home to some of the world’s most distinctive and innovative gins, crafted with creativity, respect for nature, and a deep sense of place. From the wild beauty of Western Australia’s coast to the rolling hills of South Australia, Australian distilleries are redefining the gin experience, using native botanicals and pure local ingredients to create something truly unique.
At Audacity Wines, we’re delighted to share two remarkable Australian distilleries with Mauritius: Giniversity from Margaret River and Adelaide Hills Distillery from South Australia. Both capture the essence of their regions and celebrate the craftsmanship, innovation, and passion behind every bottle.
Giniversity: Where Education Meets Innovation
Based in the pristine wilderness of Margaret River, a biodiversity hotspot known for its vineyards and coastal beauty, Giniversity was founded in 2015 by master distiller Cameron Syme, creator of the multi-award winning Limeburners Whisky.
As well as celebrating native botanicals, Giniversity is about education, experimentation, and innovation. Inspired by the combination of art and science, the distillery creates gins that are both imaginative and reflective of the unique character of the South West.
Signature Botanicals and Character
Giniversity gins feature a medley of native ingredients such as Lemon Myrtle, Eucalypt, and Emu Plum, giving each gin a distinctive Australian identity that is aromatic, fresh, and vibrant.
Award-Winning Craftsmanship
Their commitment to innovation and authenticity has earned Giniversity numerous Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals at international spirits competitions. Each small batch reflects the purity of Margaret River’s environment and the creativity of its distillers.
The Giniversity Experience
True to its name, Giniversity offers immersive gin-making classes at the Margaret River Distilling Company, where guests can become distillers for a day. The hands-on experience reflects the brand’s playful and educational spirit, making gin both an art and a journey of discovery.
Highlights from the Giniversity Range
- Botanical Gin – Smooth and aromatic, showcasing the uniqueness of native botanicals.
- Pink Gin – A fruity, lightly sweet gin inspired by South West summer fruits like Quandong and Fig.
- London Dry Gin – A classic, juniper-forward style with an Australian twist.
- Australian Native Gin – A celebration of native botanicals such as Lemon Myrtle, Geraldton Wax, and Emu Plum for a bright and uniquely Australian flavour.
- Barrel Aged Gin – Rested in Margaret River French Oak Shiraz barrels for a rich, layered finish.
- Christmas Gold Flake Gin – A festive expression featuring summer fruits like Quandong and edible 24-carat gold flakes.
Adelaide Hills Distillery: Precision and Purity at 78 Degrees
In the cool, rolling hills of South Australia, Adelaide Hills Distillery combines craftsmanship, sustainability, and technical precision to create its acclaimed range of 78 Degrees Gins. Founded in 2014 by winemaker and distiller Sacha La Forgia, the distillery’s focus is on balance, clarity, and the purest expression of flavour.
Every batch is handcrafted using 100% vapour infusion in a custom-built copper still. Each botanical is distilled using their unique column and basket distillation method to retain delicate flavours and aromas.
The name 78 Degrees comes from the precise distillation temperature. Their stills are never heated above 78.1°C. This gentle process allows the pure ethanol vapours to extract the botanicals delicately, preserving their vibrant aromas and creating a spirit of exceptional purity and finesse.
Signature Botanicals and Craft
The 78 Degrees range is crafted with 12 botanicals, including coriander seed, angelica root, star anise, orris root, lemon myrtle, clove, cinnamon, Riverland Orange, and Blood Lime. Pure Adelaide Hills water and grape spirit provide the perfect base, resulting in a clean, elegant profile that reflects the region’s cool-climate freshness.
Award-Winning Excellence
Adelaide Hills Distillery has been recognised with Gold, Double Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals at major international spirits competitions. Each bottle represents the distillery’s passion for innovation and respect for traditional techniques.
The 78 Degrees Range
- 78 Degrees Classic Gin – A contemporary take on the London Dry style, offering crisp citrus, subtle spice, and soft floral undertones.
- 78 Degrees Sunset Gin – Infused with rosella flowers, strawberry gum, and Bush Apple for a vibrant, aromatic gin perfect for evening serves.
- 78 Degrees Desert Gin – A bold and full-bodied expression featuring Riverland Orange and Blood Lime for a bright, citrus-led finish.
Discover Australian Gin at the Experience Room
At Audacity Wines, we invite you to explore these exceptional gins in our Experience Room at Les Arcades Currimjee. It’s a relaxed and elegant space where you can explore the world of Australian craft spirits, learn the stories behind each bottle, and enjoy a guided tasting experience.
Come and explore Giniversity and Adelaide Hills Distillery, two distilleries that showcase the artistry, purity, and spirit of modern Australia.
Sip. Discover. Enjoy.
Experience these remarkable gins at the Audacity Wines Experience Room.