By Dongyun Kwon and Seren Howells
A local gin distillery which is only half-a-year-old has received recognition on a national level.
Stag Lane Farm Distillery started in January and ended up winning two golds (Mary Monica Yuzu Gin and Wedding Gin), a silver (Mary Monica Gin Reaper) and a bronze (Mary Monica Oriental Gin) at the 2024 Melbourne Royal Australian Distilled Spirits Awards.
Business owner Gayle Reeves said she is really happy to receive the Melbourne Royal’s awards.
“It’s one of the certain awards that have a higher credibility in our industry,” she said.
“The judges that are within this award system are renowned people within the industry.”
The awards presentation night was held at the Melbourne Showgrounds on Thursday 1 August.
Ms Reeves said they could produce good quality gin because they grow the botanicals on site.
“We don’t just look at the gin itself and the process of distillation, but we also look at the quality of the botanicals that we put in our gin because we’ve got control over those from beginning to end,” she said.
“One of our key features that we do is that we distil our citrus within 24 hours of picking it, so by being on the farm, we can actually bring them straight from the tree to the still and put them through straight away.
“We get so many more oils and so much more vibrancy in our flavours.”
The name of Mary Monica labelled in Stag Lane’s gin is named after the great-grandmother of Paul Reeves, Gayle Reeves’ husband.
Mary Monica started to jump into the hospitality industry, and the hospitality blood has now passed down to her fifth generation, the children of the current owners.
The son James Reeves takes the role of head distiller and the daughter Abbey Trotter manages food and beverage.
“We all chip in if something needs to be done,” Ms Reeves said.
“It’s really lovely to bring your children into the business.
“They grew up in hospitality, and now they have much more of a say of what goes on, share with what we do and help to get us going.”
Ms Reeves thanked locals and people in the same industry.
“I’d really love to thank all the locals, we’ve been supported wonderfully by the local community“ she said.
“If we weren’t supported by them, we couldn’t keep going to do what we’re doing.
“Also, all of the people at all different levels in the industry are so helpful and share their knowledge.”
