Mogo distillery aims to tickle the tastebuds of south coast gin and whiskey enthusiasts

Some good news for the heritage town of Mogo, ravaged by bushfires last summer, with exciting plans for an artisan distillery catering to gin and whiskey enthusiasts using local plants.

The small town of Mogo was hit hard by bushfires and is now set to become home to a million dollar microbrewery. Picture: Toby Zerna

A small south coast town devastated by last summer’s bushfires is set to become the new home of a boutique million dollar distillery.

Plans for the Sunnyside Park distillery, which aims to cater to gin and whiskey enthusiasts, in the heritage town of Mogo, are currently with Eurobodalla Shire Council.

Robert and Kate Abel’s planned $1 million distillery would produce and sell its own range of gin, vodka, schnapps and whiskey, while also hosting tours and tastings.

The Mogo distillery will offer tours to showcase the production process which will use locally sourced botanicals, native plants and herbs.

Sunnyside Park gin will cost punters $58 a bottle, a bottle of vodka will set you back $48.

The new business, which will be open seven days a week, will also host a cafe and bar with a capacity of 40 customers at any one time.

The site will be built next to Tomakin Road and the Tomaga River, to the south east of the popular Mogo Wildlife Park, with the building designed to reflect a farm-style structure allowing it to fit comfortably into surrounding farmland.

The town of Mogo, which survives off the tourism trade, has struggled since homes and businesses were destroyed in last summer’s bushfires.

Mogo was hit hard by last summer’s fire storm with many homes and buildings destroyed. Picture: Toby Zerna

The business intends to reflect “the newest trend within food and distilling” in Australia, by providing artisan products difficult to find in the Eurobodalla.

“Sunnyside Park would like to bring a new type of industry to the region. This will enable locals and tourists alike to experience boutique, specially crafted gin and whiskey as well as artisan food within their neighbourhood,” they said.

“The distillery will offer tours to showcase the production process which will use locally sourced botanicals, native plants and herbs.

The distillery will be built near the popular Mogo Wildlife Park. Picture Rohan Kelly

“Sunnyside Park’s philosophy is to establish and run a family-oriented neighbourhood distillery to serve gin and whiskey enthusiasts from the Eurobodalla Shire and surrounding areas with high quality products.”

The distillery will provide employment for locals as well as create a new “gathering place for families to get together and enjoy great food and drinks”, they said.

Distillers Dean Abel and Kellie Plenty have both studied spirit production at Adelaide University, and the team aim to take on a trainee within two years.

Sunnyside Park gin will cost punters $58 a bottle, while a bottle of vodka will set you back $48.