SA distilleries dominated the winner’s circle at the recent 2021 Tasting Australia Spirit Awards presented by Master Cask, celebrating the nation’s growing spirits industry.

All up, local distilleries took home seven awards, with Renmark’s St. Agnes Distillery claiming Best Distiller and McLaren Vale’s Never Never Distilling Co. taking out the inaugural (and SA exclusive) Premier’s Gin Award for their Triple Juniper Export Strength Gin.

Whether you’re Adelaide-based or a proud regional resident, there are some top-notch spirit makers operating throughout the state. We salute them and invite you to discover some of the finest on the scene, including our local award winners, in a quick tour around the state.

Adelaide

Winner of the Best Independent Bottler award, Full Circle Spirits (owned by The Sparkke Change Beverage Co) makes 100% natural beers, ciders, alcoholic ginger beers and hard lemonades at its nanobrewery. Pop into Sparkke at the Whitmore, their cosy Morphett Street venue, for delicious, locally sourced food, indie craft brews and sustainable spirits in a safe, warm and friendly environment.

Staying true to its creative mantra of ‘never settling for less’, Imperial Measures Distilling in Thebarton on the CBD’s western fringe is at the forefront of the Gin Renaissance. Swing by the Ounce Bar, their on-site cocktail lounge, for finely crafted spirits, tasty burgers and a chilled vibe.

With its artisan philosophy, Prohibition Liquor Co. aims to give people what they want, and that’s premium gin. Indulge in a gin flight at their cellar door in the heart of the CBD.

Barossa Valley

About an hour’s drive from Adelaide, the Barossa is synonymous with fine wines and delicious food. With over 180 wineries in the region, there’s a drop to suit everyone’s palate. Wine tastings are available at any number of local cellar doors – and you’ll find some cool spots for spirit sessions too.

Lined by magnificent palm-trees, Seppeltsfield Road is also known as ‘The Avenue of Hopes and Dreams’. Paying tribute to this sublime stretch, Seppeltsfield Road Distillers is Barossa’s first commercial gin house. Sample bright, fresh and delicious handcrafted gins at their modern tasting room, open daily from 11am to 5pm.

Fleurieu Peninsula

This coastal paradise, about an hour’s drive south from Adelaide, is as much a hotspot for family holidays as it is a magnet for sophisticated beverage seekers.

As well as wineries galore, the region is bursting with dynamic distilleries. More flavour, better gin – that’s the motto of Never Never Distilling Co., which took out the Best Gin award. Guided by a spirit of adventure, their Triple Juniper Export Strength Gin is a modern classic and a must to try on a visit to their venue in McLaren Vale.

A short drive further south, Goolwa-based Fleurieu Distillery produces The Jabberwocky, an exquisitely-balanced barrel-ends release with just a hint of heat and smoke – and this year’s winner of Best Whisky.

For the more adventurous traveller, Kangaroo Island is just a short ferry trip away. Spirit lovers must include a stop at Kangaroo Island Spirits, Australia’s first dedicated gin distillery, on any itinerary.

Limestone Coast

The dazzling natural beauty of this region will simply leave you in awe.

From Mt Gambier’s Blue Lake to the Umphertson Sinkhole and the Naracoorte Caves – South Australia’s only UNESCO World Heritage-listed site – you might think it’s hard to top the local landscape for visitor appeal. Well, this region also produces award-winning spirits.

Penola-based St Mary’s Wine and Spirits (winner of Best Alternate Spirit for their Mulligan’s Clear Cane Spirit) is a family-owned boutique winery and distillery set in a vibrant garden with bespoke artworks, dry stone walls and brilliant colours from roses, flowers, shrubs and trees. St. Mary’s Sanctuary is 300 acres of pristine vegetation, home to a large variety of native animals and over 100 bird species.

Discover all the winners from the 2021 Tasting Australia Spirit Awards presented by Master Cask.

Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel returns to Adelaide and regional South Australia in 2022, running from Friday 29 April to Sunday 8 May.