New Clare Valley gin distillery opens with focus on local produce

The Clare Valley is renowned as one of the top wine regions of Australia, but now a new high-end gin distillery is planning to mix things up.

Katherine Nugent owner of Clare Valley Distillery with one of her bottles of gin at their brand new distillery. Picture Mark Brake

A photographer, a lawyer and a chef walk into a bar … the result is a state-of-the-art, high-end gin distillery and gathering place in Clare.

Well, not quite, but that’s the running joke among the founders of Clare Valley Distillery, which opens on Sunday.

The picturesque distillery, next door to Clare Showgrounds and nestled between the Riesling Trail and the Horrocks Highway, is the brainchild of lawyer Katherine Nugent, chef Guy Parkinson and photographer Di Mayfield.

Clare Valley Distillery owner Katherine Nugent. Picture Mark Brake

The tasting room, licenced for 200 people, is seven years in the making and will offer locally produced food, wine, beer and, of course, high quality gin.

“We initially just wanted to create a local gin and then a local distillery where we can provide a gathering place for people in Clare to come and drink beautiful gin and also enjoy each other’s company in a bar-like setting,” Ms Nugent said.

“We wanted to provide a space where the whole community can be a part of it … like we rise together.

“We really want to be high end … a place where locals and visitors can come and really experience the best of what the Valley has to offer in food and wine and gin.

“We have accommodation on site as well, so we just want to be a place where fun and cool things happen.”