The Hunter Valley has been growing grapes since the 1830s, so wine gets all the attention. That's fair. But tucked into the same property as Peter Drayton Wines and IronBark Hill Brewing Co on Hermitage Road is Wildstreak Distillery - making gin, vodka and limoncello from scratch, on-site, in small batches.
A Distillery Born From Wine Country
Wildstreak sits alongside the brewery and the winery at our 40-hectare estate on Hermitage Rd. The same philosophy applies across all three: use good local ingredients, make it properly, don't cut corners. Our spirits are small batch, handcrafted on-site, and made with Australian-sourced ingredients wherever possible.
Walk into the cellar door and you'll see the still in the background. It's not a museum piece - it's working. Every bottle of gin, vodka and limoncello you taste here was distilled right where you're standing.
Three Gins
Classic Dry Gin ($75, 40% ABV) - Juniper-forward, clean, with aromatic botanicals that keep it balanced. The go-to for a proper martini or G&T. If you've already got a favourite tonic, this will lift it.
Australian Dry Gin ($75, 40% ABV) - Locally-sourced citrus and lemon myrtle, with grapefruit, zesty lime and tangelos meeting creamy macadamia for a smooth, distinctly Australian finish. Garnish with fresh lemon myrtle leaves - you won't go back to a lime wedge.
Australian Rosé Gin ($75, 37% ABV) - Soft rose petals and ripe summer berries, a touch lighter at 37%. Beautiful on its own over ice, with soda and a grapefruit slice, or as the base for a Pink G&T. It's the most approachable of the three and the one that tends to disappear quickest.
Can't decide? The Gin 3 Pack has all three for $199 - saves you $26 and covers all the bases as a gift.
Vodka, Limoncello & Christmas Gin
The Small Batch Vodka ($60, 40% ABV) is triple distilled with a whisper of vanilla - crisp and clean, with enough character to drink straight. Makes a good Espresso Martini or a simple Vodka Soda with a strip of cucumber.
The Australian Limoncello ($60, 30% ABV) uses locally grown lemons from the NSW Central Coast. Keep it in the freezer and serve ice-cold. Mix it with prosecco and soda for a spritz that'll have you feeling like you're on the Amalfi Coast - except the view here is the Brokenback Range, which is a decent substitute.
The Christmas Gin ($60) comes around once a year - gingerbread, Christmas cake and candied fruit in a Classic Dry Gin base. Over ice or in a Gin Fizz after lunch.
Simple Serves to Try at Home
The Australian G&T - Australian Dry Gin, premium tonic, ice, fresh lemon myrtle or a grapefruit wedge. About 1 part gin to 2 parts tonic - enough tonic to open up the botanicals without drowning them.
Rosé Spritz - Rosé Gin, soda water, splash of elderflower cordial, grapefruit slice. Easy afternoon drink.
Limoncello Spritz - Limoncello, sparkling wine, splash of soda, lemon slice. Serve very cold.
Espresso Martini - Small Batch Vodka, cooled espresso, coffee liqueur, a touch of sugar syrup. The vanilla in the vodka works well here.
Food and Spirits
The Australian Dry Gin goes well with oysters or prawns - the citrus botanicals cut through the brininess nicely. Rosé Gin alongside a charcuterie board with soft cheeses and strawberries. Classic Dry G&T with pizza from the Wildstreak Kitchen next door.
Visit
Wildstreak Distillery is open at our cellar door - 694 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320. Tastings available Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm, with the kitchen open for lunch. Wine, beer and spirits all under one roof.
Wine Club members get 20% off spirits and dining, plus 30% off wine and free shipping. Details here.
