What better way to diversify a broad acre cropping enterprise than by turning your harvest produce into exceptional spirits and opening an on-farm distillery, in the middle of a coastal tourist haven.
In the small farming community of Arthurton, in the centre of the Yorke Peninsula, Sam and Olivia Colliver, did exactly that, and are now celebrating five years of creating quality craft spirits at Sunny Hill Distillery.
It all began as a passing conversation between the couple, who had dreams of producing a homegrown Yorke Peninsula Whiskey. Five years on, folks are flocking to Sunny Hill, past the scrub and the old farm workshop, to get a taste of the award- winning “crop to drop” spirits.
Passionate about sustainable production, the wheat grown on Sunny Hill Farm, which has been in the Colliver family since 1872, is used for vodka production, also forming the base for gin and liqueurs. Sunny Hill Barley is used to create the homegrown whisky Sam and Olivia first dreamt about.
Unlike many boutique distilleries, the offering at Sunny Hill is wide and varied, from gins infused with fresh raspberries, heritage roses and native strawberry gum, to coffee liqueur made using the 100 per cent wheat vodka, a combination of Columbian and Ethiopian beans, cold brewed, producing a smooth balance of coffee, with notes of chocolate and caramel.
Using the World’s finest ethically sourced Belgian cocoa, there’s a Chocolate Liqueur with premium ‘bourbon’ vanilla beans, a limited release single cask Rum, Limoncello with hand-picked Riverland lemons, and a special release French Oak Brandy, produced in collaboration with neighbouring Barley Stacks Wine.
Besides the sensational spirits menu, a trip to Sunny Hill Distillery is an experience in itself. Live music and food vendors often converge on the farmyard distillery, where you can sit on the balcony, have a sip and a sing, while enjoying a Westerly view that stretches all the way to the sea.
Patrons are welcome to bring their own picnic, or order a Pick & Mix Platter, with fresh South Australian produce, including cheese from Udder Delights and other tasty treats from Martha’s Kitchen.
To book a Sunny Hill experience or check out their events calendar click here.
