Alla and Michael Ward's Tamborine Mountain Distillery extracts the flavours of the Australian bush. Lemon Myrtle Leaf, Native Forest Peppermint and Eucalyptus Leaf Vodkas are part of a new range of Australian vodkas which has already won a swag of awards.
Michael said the uniquely Australian flavours had given the small distillery the edge over giants such as Russia's Stolichnaya. Since 1993 they've won more than 52 international awards.
"These awards are very special for us," he said. "We've taken on the world with a uniquely Australian product and won!"
"Can you believe it?" Michael said. "A little distillery like ours took on the Italians and beat them at their own game with our Limoncello."
Unlike the international giants, the Tamborine Mountain Distillery is a small family business run from Tudor-style chalets. The spirits are made using traditional Russian methods. Ingredients are sealed in bins and left to ferment for up to four months before being ‘cooked up' in the still.
Alla distills the spirits in a traditional copper pot still and hand paints each bottle for an extra personal touch. She produces schnapps, vodkas, liqueurs, brandies and gins.
"Unlike commercial distilleries which use a continuous flow distillation process, we produce single batch distillations. It's the same old-fashioned method of distilling used by the Benedictine monks," Michael said.
"Our schnapps and vodkas are made from fruits such as citrus, tamarillo, jaboticaba, mulberry, wild raspberries, lillypilly, blueberries, peach, pineapple, passion fruit, melons, bananas and apples with herbs, seeds, roots and spices."
Alla's Russian heritage was a significant factor in the family's decision to start a distillery. "I remember fondly seeing my father playing cards with his mates, a small still bubbling away merrily in the corner," she says. "It was always a dream of mine to have a pot still and Michael shared the vision."
Michael delights in seeing their guests enjoying the taste at the distillery showroom, open 10am to 3pm Wednesdays to Saturdays.
"We like to take the time to have a shot of schnapps or liqueur with our guests," Michael said.
"We love it when people drop in to chat and sample our liqueurs - and they often go home and tell their friends and family all about the experience."
You see how much he loves entertaining when you enter the front door and he greets you with a smile as wide as his open arms, treating guests as old friends.
"Welcome! What would you like to drink?"
What's your favourite drop from Tamborine Mountain Distillery? Add your comments below.
