Headlands Distilling Company has won four medals in the internationally renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
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Co-owner Dean Martelozzo said it was the first time the North Wollongong distillery had entered any competition so they decided to enter all four spirits.
The silver medals for Seacliff Vodka and Daalgaal Gin and the bronze medals for Spirit of the Illawarra Plum and the Boobialla Gin are likely to open up a global market for the Wollongong products people around Australia have already developed a taste for.
"We are proud to offer international award winning products that are made locally in the Gong from 100 per cent native Australian ingredients," Mr Martelozzo said.
"And we are really excited to spread the Australian bush tucker flavours to the world and receive recognition on a global scale.
"We are also excited to partner with more local ventures and represent Wollongong in the international community".
Mr Martelozzo said receiving four medals from four entries was great acknowledgement of Headlands Distilling Company's hard work to highlight unique native flavours.
"And we are excited to continue pioneering with new products that will be released soon".
Mr Martelozzo said it was particularly good to win a medal for the new Spirit of the Illawarra Plum.
"It has such a unique flavour they didn't actually know how it should be categorised and we were placed in the Vermouth category," he said.
"It was great to receive a bronze medal when we were up against well known vermouths".
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Mr Martelozzo said Headlands Distilling Company has enjoyed a great response to each new product it has rolled out.
It started with the Seacliff Vodka. Then introduced two gins called Daalgaal and Boobialla made exclusively from the native Australian juniper. And a specialty spirit called "Spirit of the Illawarra Plum".
Mr Martelozzo said Headlands was the first distillery in the world to develop a spirit exclusively from the native plum that is not farmed or readily available.
He and business partners Jared Smith, Lachlan Hingley and Thomas Simnadis have hand foraged the plums themselves.
And are interested in hearing from anyone who can help them source more.
Mr Martelozzo said the installation of a new large still means they will be able to increase production of all four existing products and expand the range of spirits made at Ralph Black Drive.
"We've currently sold out of our first batch of Boobialla gin and we are taking pre-orders for batch two. The bottles are numbered and signed. The second batch will likely be released in July," he said.
"We have a little bit of Daalgaal left, but we also expect this to be sold out before long".
The Headlands Distilling Company range is available at the distillery, online and at selected bars, restaurants and bottle shops in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Sydney.
Read more:
- Wollongong's Headlands Distilling Co. opens launching first spirit, Seacliff Vodka
- Wollongong's Headlands Distilling Company expands its range of spirits
- Wollongong distillery making spirits with native plant the "Illawarra Plum"
- NSW Government business support fund expanded to include wineries, cellar doors, spirit distilleries and microbreweries
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
