Narrawilly Farm: Milton based NSW milk supplier proposes plans for alcoholic distillery

One of the state’s biggest fresh milk suppliers – pushed to the brink by bushfires and floods in recent years – has plans to revolutionise its business model with the transformation of a farm shed into a distillery.

One of the state’s biggest fresh milk suppliers – pushed to the brink by bushfires and floods in recent years – has plans to revolutionise its business model with the transformation of a farm shed into a distillery.

Narrawilly dairy farm, located at Yatte Yattah on the south coast, has lodged plans to convert an old dairy shed into a bourbon, gin and vodka distillery.

A tourism experience would also be offered, with a tasting room to be in operation targeting holiday-makers who frequent the idyllic south coast.

Under the plans, corn will be grown on the farm to be used to distil locally-produced bourbon in a move inspired by Kentucky, America, a region renown for its bourbon.

Behind the bold plans is farmer Robert Miller – affectionately known as ‘Farmer Rob’ – who was at the face of adversity when his 526ha property was hit by fires four times during the Black Summer fires before being impacted by flooding.

Bushfire affected dairy farmer, Rob Miller, on his farm in Milton on the NSW South Coast. Picture: Liam Driver

He previously estimated he lost $150,000 in fencing, $100,000 in livestock and $35,000 in fodder due to the natural disasters.

“We were struggling with not enough milk price, then we had drought, which we were struggling with, then we had the fires and just as we finished up with had floods — we had about 250mm in 10 months and then we had 300mm in 48 hours,” he said in 2020.

This existing building on the farm will be revitalised into the office space for the distillery if plans are approved.

The design of the signs which will be placed next to the Princes Hwy if plans are approved.

Planning documents reveal the vision is part of an income diversification strategy, as the dairy industry continues to strugglethey were blindsided by supermarket colossus Coles’ announcement 12 years ago to halve the cost of milk from $2 per litre to $1 overnight.

This led to a brutal price war between Coles and its nemesis Woolworths — a war ending only this year with Coles agreeing to raise the sale price by 10c thereby matching Woolworths.

In 2019 alone, 51 farms in NSW were forced to close due to the decision to halve the cost of milk.

The farm – which has been in operation since 1859 – would continue to operate alongside the proposed distillery.

Planning documents reveal the business will allow visitors to explore and see where the bourbon, gin and vodka is created, before attending the tasting room where they will be able to enjoy the drink.

Narrawilly farm supplies its products to Bega Cheese, with its fresh milk used to produce Dare flavoured milks and Dairy Farmers’ fresh milk products.

Neighbouring properties have been supportive of the proposed business expansion.

If approved, the distillery will be the first time the farm has opened a section of its land to the public.

The plans are currently on public exhibition with Shoalhaven Council