There’s been a lot of digging and drilling next to the Four Pillars distillery over the past couple of years, resulting in a lot of anticipation from locals and visitors alike.
Well the new space is very close to opening, so we thought we would check in with Four Pillars head distiller Cameron Mackenzie to get an idea of what it’s all about.
What is the main purpose of the new extension?
It’s a bit multifaceted! For the last few years we have had queues at the door (especially on weekends) and we have had to knock back so many bookings due to space limitations. We’d much rather have everyone inside enjoying a G & T. So the opportunity to build a bigger bar and deck area has been brilliant.
The original space will remain the same and focus more on tastings, distillation and botanicals, whilst the new space showcases cocktails, tasty snacks and a beautiful deck area.
Having said that, we are also growing rapidly across our whole business so we have moved the bottling line into a new designated area. The new hospitality space actually looks into the bottling area and we are projecting distilling activities from the original site onto the walls.
I think we have always been conscious that we are a gin distillery, first and foremost. So whilst we make drinks and serve great “tuck shop” snacks, we are very much about gin.
What design considerations went into the space?
We worked with Breathe Architecture who are renowned for their focus on sustainability. Breathe were fantastic in that they wanted to discus not just the design ideas but how we could incorporate more environmentally responsible practices.
We are using elements of the design to passively cool water and trade waste, saving energy and reclaiming heat. Moving the gins onto a tap system along with our tonic water will remove around 700kg’s of glass from our business each week.
The shotcrete for the building is specifically made using recycled water and other materials. Solar will be installed on the new building to increase our solar capacity across both buildings.
The process has been fantastic.
What type of experience can guests expect when it’s open?
The experience always focusses on gin. Starting with botanicals (and the strong aromatics in the courtyard), distilling, bottling, tastings and amazing cocktails. The tasting experience can be a condensed, fun and informative experience at the testing bench or a lengthy and extensive distilling masterclass in one of our Makers Sessions (bookings only).
Whatever experience someone chooses will be fun, informative and very entertaining. It’s gin, after all!
What style of food & drink will be served?
Drinks will start with our classic gin paddle of three mini G & T’s, then branch into classic cocktails before picking up the pace into modern classics. When it comes to food we are not a restaurant (plenty of good ones around!) so we have set up a brilliant Tuck Shop.
In short, it’s a knife or a fork but rarely the two together! The snacks will change regularly and they always come back to the gin by incorporating one of our Made from Gin products like Gin Salt, or Bloody Shiraz Yarra valley Caviar.
We will also be able to run occasional events in the new space. Our first one being a Fresh Yuzu Gin Dinner on April 28th.
When is the expected opening day?
We will do some sneak peaks after Easter and be open for bookings for May onwards. Exciting times!
Where can people go to find out more details?
Best to join our mailing list or follow us on socials. We keep these very up to date and share news about events and small batch gins via these avenues.
THE DETAILS
WHAT: Four Pillars Distillery extension
WHERE: 2A Lilydale Rd, Healesville VIC
WHEN: Booking from May
MORE INFO: fourpillarsgin.com
