Tipple treat a corker

Distillery brewing an opening

WHAT will be Geelong’s only distillery is almost ready to open.

The Whiskery, with a cellar door serving food and diverse beverages, will open by the end of summer, Bellarine Distillery co-owner Lorelle Warren said.

The distillery is at the corner of Scotchmans and Portarlington roads, on The Bellarine.

“Food, it’s essentially very simple, we’re just going do a couple of pizzas, Italian style, probably only about four or five to choose from, and cheese and grazing plates,” Ms Warren said.

Bellarine Distillery has its own gin brand, Teddy and the Fox, which will be on offer alongside other Australian gins at its cellar door.

The distillery has whiskey maturing, which Ms Warren said would be ready within six to 12 months, but other whiskeys will be on offer for people to try at the cellar door.

“The intention is that we will have our own single malt whiskey,” Ms Warren said.

Local beers, wines and ciders will also be on offer.

“There’s no other distillery in Geelong,” Ms Warren said.

“We’re right in the heart of all the wineries, so it’s very complementary. It’s a very picturesque place.”

Tours of the distillery will be available which will include barrel tastings and still operation.

Ms Warren said she had noticed an increased appetite for whiskey and gins.

“There’s a huge interest in gin,” she said.

“In the last three to four years since we started developing this whole concept, the explosion in gin as a drink of choice is quite enormous.”

The venue will have indoor and outdoor dining facilities.

Ms Warren, who co-owns the distillery with her husband, Russell Watson, said the couple had already received inquiries about weddings at the venue.