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Distillery McLaren Vale
Down South Distillery
Natalie, Hank, and Jordan bringing the southern Spirit to Aldinga
Joe Agostino, handing over the site to the Kaas family
“We’re proud of what we’ve created”
Our Story
In 2023, Aldinga saw the quiet transition of a beloved local institution as Agostino Wines closed its cellar door after serving handcrafted wines and regional produce from Stonehouse Lane since 2019. The family-run winery was known for its robust red varietals, warm hospitality, and home-style offerings—including wood-fired pizzas and house-cured olives. The venue quickly became a cherished gathering spot in the McLaren Vale wine region.
Rather than let the site go neglected, nestled amongst the picturesque vineyards and with a view of those hills that the Fleurieu boasts so well, a new story began to take shape.
In August 2023, the venue was reimagined by another passionate local family—the Kaas family: Natalie, husband Hank, and daughter Jordan—who moved Down South Distillery, a boutique distillery in McLaren Vale blending craft spirits with community energy, into the iconic site.
Since its quiet and official opening in December 2023, Down South Distillery has quickly earned its place as a favourite within the usually wine-forward region. The venue has retained much of the welcoming charm it was known for, but introduced a bold new twist with a lineup of small-batch gins, including the citrus-forward Board Meeting Gin, the fruit-and-floral Bush Chook Pink Gin, and the earthy, peppery Watering Hole Dry Gin.
With an emphasis on laid-back vibes, the venue also offers gin tasting flights, seasonal cocktails, local beers, share plates, and even a nod to its predecessor with its continued use of the trusty wood oven for pizzas. The venue’s sun-drenched outdoor deck, enchanting all-weather patio, and live music Smooth Sunday Sessions have become a hit with both locals and tourists alike, offering a relaxed space for families, friends, and foodies.
“We knew we were stepping into a space with a lot of heart and history,” said Natalie Kaas, co-founder of Down South Distillery. “Our goal was to honour the legacy of the space while building something new and vibrant for the community—and we’re proud of what we’ve created.”
Today, Down South Distillery stands as a symbol of continuity and reinvention on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The spirit may have changed—from grapes to botanicals—but the commitment to quality, community, and local flavour lives on.
The Gin Journey
Our gin journey began quite some time before moving into the Aldinga cellar door, after an evening out having uncharted, brave conversations about what it could be to create a gin that defied the norms.
Crafting a gin that was contrary to traditional guidelines and recipe structure… without knowing exactly how to get there.
The initial still runs were about creating and experimenting with gin recipes. The fun and excitement to test new ideas and combinations and find out what sensory experience it would create as we were cooking away, making ‘out-of-the-norm’, intriguing new gin recipes.
Our craft-created gin discovery journey is as much about the passion and love for where we live and keeping your spirits up!
Being inspired by the unique characteristic charms of the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Peninsula region, its breathtaking coastal views, and the gorgeous ever-changing rolling hills. Crafting artisan spirits that connect the beautiful land and making real connections with the people around them. Gins that embody that personality and capture real places found Down South.
And So Down South Distillery was born…
A family of artisan Distillers who have a passion for the artistry of unconventional, well-crafted Spirit and the celebration of a sensory experience behind each sip.
With a love for the land, we strive to reduce our carbon footprints, which is why we have taken every step to be as eco-friendly as possible by using bio-degradable plastics and recycling every bit of rubbish that comes our way.
We proudly invite you to visit our Aldinga cellar door situated within the heart of the Fleurieu Peninsula, and taste our premium Australian Spirits.
We want to create a sensory experience with each sip.
“Keep Your Spirits Up!”
– Your Mates at Down South Distillery
Our first pot still
Experimenting with new ideas.
Turning point from “hobby” to distillery
The firstborn
Board Meeting (Citrus) Gin
Board Meeting was our first exceptional Gin and was the turning point from ‘hobby’ to Distillery.
After many trials, experiments, variations, and adjustments, this recipe finally incorporated the perfect abundance of botanicals (13 to be exact). Far more botanicals than a ‘standard’ gin recipe, making it an exceptional taste of spicy intrigue that coats the mouth with hints of orange, cinnamon & spice.
Board Meeting brought a taste of Adventure, a Toast to the finer things in life.
This Gin is our nod to the lifestyle of the surfers at Port Willunga Beach and our Adelaide Board Meetings on a Friday afternoon.
A full-bodied Spirit that shines among the rest.
Botanical Pink Gin
Bush Chook (Pink) Gin
Bush Chook was the Gin that brought it all together.
This Gin was left undisturbed to sit on the shelf a little bit longer, where the soft, understated flavours could fully develop and shine through, resulting in a highly recommended Pink Gin.
Being an ode to the unspoilt Australian wildlife, it is a sip of pleasurable sweetness, a play of flavour, and of warmth.
A celebration of Australian Spirits