Presenting a series of Sunday's showcasing the stories from Wine, Beer & Spirits of the Fleurieu.

These are reproduced with permission from Soul Publishing and Rojina Duval.

These stories feature prominent farmers, fishermen, producers and chefs – from Port Noarlunga to Cape Jervis – along with their favourite recipes and tips. Enjoy!

Never Never Distilling Co. was founded by three friends with the passion and drive to produce Australia’s greatest gins.

Head distiller Tim Boast explains: “In December of 2016, we pooled our collective monies and borrowed from family in order to buy a small still called Wendy. We set up in the back of a brewery in Royal Park and got to work on our first product. The space was only 16 square metres, basically the floor space of two pallets and without any running water. It was a nightmare in terms of efficiency, but we made every square inch work for us.

“After eight months of R&D we released our Triple Juniper Gin and it is this that forms the foundation of every gin that we make.”

Tim’s grandmother’s family were the founders of Gilbey’s Gin, and he has always felt a strong connection to the industry. He won Global Distiller of the Year at the Spirits Business Awards just two years after stepping into his role.

Never Never brand director Sean Baxter’s passion for gin stemmed from a career working in the hospitality industry. After years working as an ambassador telling other people’s brand stories, it was time to write a few of his own.

“Every day we get to come to work and create new and exciting products together,” says Sean. “We have already won countless international awards for excellence including World’s Best Classic Gin at the 2019 World Gin Awards.

“So it’s up to us now to continue this level of excellence across everything we do and represent the proud state of South Australia on the world stage. If that doesn’t light a fire underneath you every time you step into work, I'm not sure what will!”

George Georgiadis, Never Never’s managing director, explains how their new McLaren Vale home at Chalk Hill came about.

“We were invited to open our distillery door at Chalk Hill by Tom Harvey of Chalk Hill Wines,” says “He saw in us a partner capable of assisting him to deliver a world-class hospitality experience.”

Tim says that ending up in McLaren Vale has always been their dream: “So much so that when we were designing our label in 2016, we asked a local artist to create an image of the Vale on the front, even though we were distilling in Royal Park.

“Standing on Chalk Hill, looking at that incredible hill line, always reminds us that we are able to achieve any goal we set if we work hard enough.”

PAIRING

“Our most popular gin is the Triple Juniper Gin, although our Southern Strength Gin is catching up. We launched Triple Juniper in August 2017. It uses nine botanicals combining classic ingredients such as juniper, coriander seed and lemon with contemporary flavours such as Australian pepperberry. We love it combined with quality tonic water, garnished with fresh lemon and lemon thyme.”

CELLAR DOOR

Arriving at the top of the long gravel driveway that leads up from Field Street, the whole of McLaren Vale opens up before you. You are on top of the highest hill in the area and the views are spectacular. So come on up the hill and step into the Never Never for a cocktail or gin tasting and enjoy that view.

ADDRESS 56 Field Street, McLaren Vale SA 5171

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