A New Gisborne distillery will undergo a $1.2 million expansion, supported through the state government’s Regional Jobs Fund.
The upgrade at Mountain Distilling will create 17 full-time jobs, including in warehousing and logistics, product development and marketing, with the expansion set to be complete in 2024.
Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing visited the distillery with Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas on Friday and said the government was backing passionate regional producers to take their next steps in business.
“Mountain Distilling is a must-see destination, and their expansion means they’ll attract even more tourists who are looking for unique food-focused experiences in the beautiful Macedon Ranges,” Ms Shing said.
The award-winning distillery makes innovative spirits, such as gin which uses foraged ingredients and single-malt whisky which is engineered to taste like barrel-aged whisky.
New, specialised equipment will form part of the expansion, such as a 1500-litre still to make more than 12 times the current volume of the company’s signature Mountain Gin, infused with flavours of pine needles and mountain pepperberry.
The new brewhouse system will produce more products efficiently, with bottling, labelling and packaging gear to bring all stages of the production in-house.
In a statement, the government said the increased capacity would mean the company’s internationally-awarded products will meet growing demand from new export markets, including in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.
“A new ’distillery door’ will draw more visitors to the region, providing a tasting experience that includes meeting the makers and a production factory tour – while soaking in beautiful mountain views,” the government said.
“With food industry contributing $6.8 billion to the local economy and employing 20,500 people, Mountain Distilling is now well placed to deliver on the potential to increase tasting-tourism in the region.”
“The Macedon Ranges is home to some of the region’s best food and beverage producers, and I look forward to more people visiting Mountain Distilling and the beautiful surrounds,” Ms Thomas said.
