Diablo Co relocates to site of Cooloola Milk near Gympie

The owner of an award winning Sunshine Coast brewery and distillery has relocated his business to the Gympie region, and while it is the end of an era for one iconic business, it is the beginning of a new one for the landmark site.

Diablo Co has relocated from the Big Pineapple at Woombye to the former Cooloola Milk factory site at Dagun. Founder and director Dimitris Limnatitis (pictured) said he was disappointed to have to relocate but he was excited to be able to create a true farm to bottle experience in the Mary Valley.

One of the Sunshine Coast’s leading producers of alcoholic beverages has relocated from the Big Pineapple at Woombye to the former Cooloola Milk factory site at Dagun, in the Mary Valley, after failing to find a suitable new home on the Sunshine Coast.

Founder and director Dimitris Limnatitis said he was “incredibly disappointed” to have to relocate his business from the Sunshine Coast but said he was excited to be able to create a true “farm to bottle” experience in the Mary Valley.

“We’ve always proudly been a Sunshine Coast business from our humble beginnings on Ocean Street where we made Queensland’s first alcoholic ginger beer right through to setting up a distillery and production facility at the Big Pineapple,” Mr Limnatitis said.

“When our lease ran out we searched across the coast and we actually did find a fantastic new location in the Sunshine Coast hinterland which would have served our business and the local community brilliantly but unfortunately council’s planning laws made it impossible to proceed,” he said.

Chainsaw and a swinging sub-woofer used in wild confrontation

Diablo Co has relocated from the Big Pineapple at Woombye to the former Cooloola Milk factory site at Dagun. Founder and director Dimitris Limnatitis (pictured) said he was incredibly disappointed to have to relocate but he was excited to be able to create a true farm to bottle experience in the Mary Valley.

“We now have an amazing 20 acre site with incredible facilities and infrastructure and we also have enough land to grow our own sugar cane, ginger and other ingredients so our customers can be assured of the provenance of everything we produce.

“We are also self-sufficient in terms of power, water and waste as we have our own solar panels, a bore, numerous water tanks as well as a septic system.

“Gympie Council have been incredibly supportive and Mayor Glen Hartwig has already reached out to us to provide whatever support we need. Our leadership team and our staff feel incredibly welcome and I am sure this will inspire us to replicate our success in Gympie.”

Diablo Co’s relocation to Gympie coincides with their recent Australian International Rum Awards win for their 3-Thirteen Pacific Rum.

Former Cooloola Milk owner operator Dick Schroeder. The dairy is now home to an award winning former Sunshine Coast brewer and distillery.

“We set ourselves a goal of winning an international award for our rum and to achieve this after a few short years while competing against some of the largest multi-national producers in our industry is truly incredible,” Mr Limnatitis said.

“This award comes off the back of winning the prestigious People’s Choice Award for our Black Cockatoo Chilli Spice Rum at the 2022 Australian Rum Awards.

“It’s incredibly rewarding recognition for our hard working team who are committed to putting our range of locally produced beverages up against some of the biggest players in the industry and coming out on top.

“These awards really reinforce our commitment to creating a portfolio of innovative, high quality beverages which are made from 100% local ingredients, even our bottles are from a bespoke producer in Mt Tamborine so our commitment to local producers remains strong.”

Founder and director Dimitris Limnatitis said he was incredibly disappointed to have to relocate his business from the Sunshine Coast but said he was excited to be able to create a true farm to bottle experience in the Mary Valley.

Diablo Co is owned by husband and wife hospitality veterans Mr Limnatitis and Charlene Dellaway.

Mr Limnatitis founded Solbar on the Sunshine Coast 11 years ago and Ms Dellaway was involved in Piano Bar. Together they have owned and operated a number of venues on Ocean Street including Solbar, Old Soul and The Rooftop Bar along with their former venue The Piano Bar.

Established in 2017, Diablo Co began as a passion project.

Experiencing firsthand the abundance of craft beers flooding the hospitality scene, Mr Limnatitis spotted a gap in the market for a sessional beer alternative.

“Producing a portfolio of products that supports Australian farmers and creates job for Australians is something we are proud of and that drives us to share our products with venues Australia wide.”