Lessons in the fine art of gin making

GIN seems as popular as ever right now and riding that wave is Domaine Asmara Vineyard.

The Toolleen-based winery is hosting a distiller for the day event every Saturday for the month, so you can try your hand at making your own.

Participants can learn and assist with making gin before taking a bottle of their own drop home to enjoy.

Winery proprietor Andreas Grieving said attendees get to experience gin-making at its fullest.

“In our case, it’s slightly different because we actually make the base spirit as well from our own grapes,” he said. “Because we’ve got the vineyard we can make our own base spirits from that.

“I explain the process and at the moment it’s particularly good because customers can see the wine fermenting, which will then be put into the larger still and made into the base spirit.”

It’s during the production run that follows Mr Grieving said attendees will get to experience the flavour development of the gin.

“We will run the small pot still, which is 50 litres, and we will make what is called our Mediterranean gin,” he said.

“It has got a lot of citrus flavours, fresh lemon and oranges, and of course a whole number of botanicals and fresh herbs.

“I can’t give away all the secrets, but they’re 11 or 12 different botanicals added plus the fresh herbs.”

All the ingredients are as fresh as possible with many grown at the vineyard.

“We use really fresh herbs, and the oranges and lemons are peeled fresh,” he said. “So, we are not using dry peel product.”

“The end result is this beautiful gin with a real burst of lemon and orange flavours on the nose.”

If you want to book a spot at Distiller for the Day head to domaineasmara.com, the event costs $98 with a bottle of gin to take home with you.