Australian female gin distillers take centre stage in Ladies of Spirit at the maritime museum
Published
Gin tasting onboard steam yacht Ena.
Enter the world of Ladies of Spirit to explore the talented women, producing amazing gins across Australia!
Historically, women were skilled in botany, fermenting and distilling for medicinal purposes and, without a doubt, for drinking too. The Australian National Maritime Museum has joined forces with Nip of Courage to host a fabulous and fascinating delve into the world of gin on board the docked Edwardian steam yacht Ena!
Each week a different female distiller will share their “spirit” journey and the highs and lows of creating your own gin. Guests will be welcomed with a gin infused glass of sparkling before a gin tasting that is matched with canapés devised by Ripples. Different gins will be showcased each week.
Friday evenings
2 sessions - 6.00 pm and 8.00pm (1.5 hour session duration)
Price $85.00 includes matching canapés
Ally Ayres – Karu Distillery
Ally is the head distiller and co-owner of independently owned and operated Karu Distillery, hidden in the Devils Wilderness NSW. Sharing her workspace with some of the world's deadliest, cuddliest and creepiest creatures and surrounded by nothing but Australian bushland keeps her inspired and on her toes.
Her primary focus has been composing gins using fresh, locally grown and sourced botanicals. Throughout the years of her self-taught distillation journey she has accumulated over 50 global awards including IWSC trophy for best contemporary gin in the world 2021.
Holly Klintworth - Bass and Flinders
Holly is one of few second generation distillers in Australia, having taken over from her father in 2016 to lead her family business as Managing Director and Head Distiller.
Bass & Flinders Distillery, established in 2009 on the Mornington Peninsula is an artisanal distillery with a focus is on distilling in small batches, merging old world traditional techniques with new world flavours. Wherever possible, Bass and Flinders source fresh, local ingredients to produce unique, genuine Australian craft spirits. Bass & Flinders draws inspiration from their coastal home where the sea meets the wine-growing hinterland.
Proudly family operated and 100% independent, uniquely, Bass and Flinders distils Victorian wine into their grape based eau de vie spirit, used across their range of products. Bass & Flinders Distillery is dedicated to the true art of distilling, by choosing to produce their base spirit from scratch. They value full traceability of each ingredient that goes into every bottle, take ownership over the entire process from start to finish, and celebrate the added complexity their grape spirit adds to their products. Bass & Flinders creates a range of award winning fine brandies, gins and liqueurs, made at their purpose built facility in Dromana.
Carla Daunton – Young Henry’s
Carla started her journey into spirits as a science communicator and teacher before making the change to brewing and distilling. Her first role in the field was at an ethanol production facility where she learnt the fine art of plant operation as well as gaining a solid grounding in producing high quality neutral spirits. Interested in both brewing and distilling, Carla started at Young Henrys as a brewer in April of 2018 and quickly found her feet amongst the yeast. That previous experience in distilling came in handy when she took over distilling Young Henrys beloved Noble Cut a year later.
Since taking on the head distiller role Carla has overseen the rapid expansion of gin production, culminating in the release of Young Henrys first ever RTD in November of 2021.
Young Henrys began brewing in 2012 and started distilling gin in 2015, fiercely independent with strong values encompassing their motto "Serve the people", Young Henrys continue to be driven by innovation and excellence while serving the community, arts and the planet.
Samantha Stefani - Banks and Solander
Hailing from Southern Pennsylvania, Samantha started working at her first brewery in the U.S at 19, 2 years before she could legally try what she had made.
She then attained a BS in Fermentation Sciences with a Concentration in Brewing Science & Analysis and Minor in Chemistry at Appalachian State University, NC.
She moved to Sydney in 2016 and started working at Archie Rose as an Assistant Distiller. As Archie Rose's first female distiller, she quickly moved up the ladder and became a Senior Distiller.
In 2019, Samantha got the opportunity to learn how to make rum and work as the first female distiller at Brix Distillery.
Samantha has most recently joined the team at Banks & Solander Distillery in Botany after the first lockdown of 2020. Banks & Solander is owned and operated by husband and wife team Marty and Ed Svehla, and their faithful distillery dog Frank. Samantha's main passion has always been in distilling Rum and Gin, and she counts herself fortunate to have learned a lot in the art of making all kinds of spirits and having the opportunity to be involved with all aspects of a small business with the Banks & Solander team.
Alarna Doherty - Tara Distiller
Nestled in the heart of the stunning and pristine Shoalhaven region of NSW, Tara Distillery is situated on the windswept south coast, between the white sand beaches of Jervis Bay and the remote wilderness of the Morton National Park.
A few short years ago Alarna Doherty was living the classic city life, holding down a successful career in the corporate sector but Alarna harboured a secret desire – to make her own premium craft spirits.
Alarna dreamed of a family life in the country making her own high quality gin and whiskey.
Together with husband Ben they started their small rural distillery in the Shoalhaven on the South Coast of NSW. They use the traditional one-shot gin method, and are passionate about this true pot-still style of gin making.