The Formation of a Travel-worthy Destination

As we mark 21 years in the craft distillery industry, it’s a momentous occasion worth celebrating! Throughout our journey, we’ve prided ourselves on doing things a little differently. We’ve been distilling long before it became a trend, and that pioneering spirit continues to guide us.

From the outset, Brad and Monika had a grander vision beyond merely crafting a brand. They aimed to carve out a destination nestled within the serene landscapes of the Snowy Mountains. Unlike many others, our journey didn’t commence in some nondescript industrial shed tucked away from prying eyes.

Using Recycled Building Materials

Our original Still-house stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability. Constructed using recycled timber and corrugated iron, with beams repurposed from an old bridge, it embodies our ethos of giving materials a second chance to be part of a meaningful narrative.

Sustainability has been ingrained in our operations from the very beginning. Preserving the Snowy Mountains’ pristine beauty has always been our top priority.

Harnessing the Power of Nature

One of our earliest initiatives involved installing three worm farms to effectively manage our organic byproducts, transforming them into nutrient-rich compost. Recently, we welcomed a new addition to our distillery grounds: a beehive. This hive serves as a vital pollinator for our organic raspberry patch and other fruit trees, ensuring their continued vitality and contributing to the local ecosystem.

Furthermore, we’ve embraced solar power, with 32 panels adorning our original building and an additional 50 gracing our main production facility. These panels power our 600-litre Still “Joan” and sustain our off-grid staff accommodation, symbolizing our commitment to harnessing renewable energy sources.

The same solar panels that energize our whole operation also power a recently acquired electric car used for local deliveries, exemplifying our dedication to reducing our carbon footprint.

Waste not, Want not

Moreover, we’ve implemented innovative water-saving measures, including a closed-circuit cooling system for distillation and the operation of our own Sewage Treatment Plant for wastewater management. Additionally, all kitchen oil is meticulously collected and repurposed for biodiesel production.

Our commitment to sustainability also benefits our community. Our leftover gin botanicals play a role in supporting local business Rockstock Deli. These botanicals are utilized for curing meats, smallgoods, and smoked Snowy Mountain trout, fostering collaboration within our community while minimizing waste.

Visitors to our distillery will notice our commitment to bottle refills during tastings, a conscious effort to minimize unnecessary glass waste. Furthermore, our dedication to sustainability extends to our online store in our choice of packaging materials, which are proudly biodegradable. 

At Wildbrumby Distillery, sustainability isn’t just a checkbox; it’s a way of life ingrained in every facet of our operation. As we embark on the next leg of our eco-friendly spirits expedition, we remain steadfast in our commitment to preserving the environment while crafting exceptional spirits that reflect the pristine beauty of the Snowy Mountains.

Shop our range of schnapps, gin and vodka here.

To purchase your own eco-friendly bio-degradable plastics for home or business use, we recommend Biogone: https://www.biogone.com.au/ 

For more information on Rock Stock Deli, visit their website here: https://www.rockstock.net.au/ 

We drive an MG EV. View here to see their range of electric vehicles.

We are open all Easter Long Weekend, and there is lots to see and do!

1. Free Tasting

Sample the selection of seasonal and year-round schnapps, gins and vodkas, all day, every day across the Easter long weekend. Rock up at the tasting counter, and one of our wildbrumby team members will be only too happy to guide you through the menu.

2. Raspberry Season

Try our latest seasonal schnapps – Raspberry! February to April is raspberry season at wildbrumby – when our organic raspberry patch is harvested.

The Easter weekend will also be one of your last chances to catch another of our seasonal stars – Mango schnapps.

SHOP NOW

3. Jindabyne Art and Artisan Trail

This year, we’ll be participating in the Jindabyne Art and Artisan Trail. Stretch your legs, soak up the sun, and take a walk in our sculpture garden. For more info on participants, check out the interactive map online at Creative South, or pick up a brochure in the shop. You can also check out a quick video on our Instagram page here.

4. Ride an E-Bike

Got energy to burn? Ride an E-bike up Wollondibby Road to explore an aromatic forest of Candlebark Gums and White Sallees. Turn around when you reach the gate, just past Nowhere…You’ll know Nowhere when you see it. Look for the Brumbies!   

5. Schnappy Hoppy Hour

Dusk is when the roos come out to play. The deck out back of wildbrumby Café and Distillery is the best place to relax and observe the local wildlife come to hang! We’re open a little longer – until 6 pm on Fridays and Saturdays – so you can make the most of this magical moment. To sweeten the deal, from 4 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s Schnappy Hour! Get a Schnapps Flight for $9, instead of the regular $12.

6. Browse the Shop and Gallery

Stillhouse café is a treasure trove of kitsch objects, artisanal crafts and fine art. Eye-catching works by local Crackenback artists Zoe Young and Brad Spalding grace nearly every wall. In the shop you’ll find an assortment of handmade items designed to bring a little bit of Austrian homeliness to wildbrumby. For the keenest observers, there’s also one rude gnome to be found somewhere in the restaurant…We call him – our complaints department.

7. Florence, the Machine

No, not Florence & The Machine of Rock musical fame. Our Florence is a working still imported from Germany, and the very first to produce schnapps at wildbrumby distillery. These days, we normally make use of our much larger still, Joan, who hides in the shed. Florence, she’s a flirty one, though. She can be admired within the Stillhouse café, right behind the tastings counter.

8. Ring the Bells

There’s nothing like the ringing of a cow bell to make you feel like you’re on an Austrian mountain farm. There are numerous bells around the property, waiting to be tinkled. Alternatively, order a Schnapps Flight to your table, and we’ll ring the bells for you.

9. Pose as a Swiftie

In honour of Tay Tay’s recent Eras tour down under, artist Spalding has painted a brilliant photo cut-out board to make your dreams come true. Pose as Taylor Swift in performance mode or as one of her loyal followers (swifties).

10. Find the Scarred Tree

Thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans and brumbies, the Thredbo Valley was a place of transit, hunting, and gathering for the Ngarigo and Manaroo peoples. Many quartz artefacts have been found throughout the valley, particularly at Crackenback. Scarred trees provide another archaeological clue of how the Ngarigo people lived ingenuously off the land. Aboriginal people would deliberately cut bark away from trees for a variety of practical purposes, leaving tissue that would dry, then die, leaving a ‘scar’ on which no bark could grow again. The scarred tree on the grounds of wildbrumby looks to archaeologists to have been hollowed out to make a bowl. Can you find it?

Finally, at wildbrumby we encourage fun in all its forms, but think you’ll have the best fun if you follow our responsibility code (see below). Help us look after our beautiful Alpine environment, thus paying our respects to the original custodians of the land, the Ngarigo people and their elders past, present and emerging.

We’re looking forward to seeing you over Easter!

Summer is upon us, and what better way to celebrate the season of sunshine and warmth than with a sip of pure berry bliss? We’re thrilled to announce the return of our much-loved Pure Berry Schnapps, and let me tell you, this year’s vintage is an absolute showstopper!

Picture this: rolling fields adorned with ripe raspberries, plump blackberries, juicy blueberries, and tangy red and black currants—all handpicked at the peak of perfection to capture nature’s true essence. Our team has been hard at work, meticulously bottling this fruity symphony to bring you a limited release that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.

What sets our Pure Berry Schnapps apart is its unparalleled versatility. Whether you prefer to enjoy it neat, savouring each nuanced flavour, or over ice for a refreshing kick, the possibilities are endless. But why stop there when you can elevate your experience with a creative cocktail infusion?

Imagine the magic of our Pure Berry Schnapps mingling with the smoothness of our Kosciuszko Vodka or the botanical beauty of our Rubus Patch Gin. The result? A concoction so delightful that we’ve dubbed it the supercali-BERRY-licious-expialidocious cocktail. It’s not just a drink; it’s a symphony of flavours that’ll have you singing its praises.

So, as the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, let our Pure Berry Schnapps be your go-to companion for all your summer soirées and backyard gatherings. Whether you’re toasting to the sunset or dancing under the stars, each sip will transport you to a berry-filled paradise—a celebration of nature’s bounty in its purest form.

supercali-BERRY-licious-expialidocious cocktail

45 ml Wildbrumby Pure Berry Schnapps
30 ml Kosciuszko Vodka
30 ml fresh Lime Juice
1 Egg White

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and give it light shakes to create a beautiful foam.

Then add the ice and keep shaking until the shaker is icy cold to the touch. Carefully strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a few freshly picked berries for an irresistible finish.

BERRY SPRITZER

45 ml wildbrumby Pure Berry Schnapps
30 ml Rubus Patch Gin
20 ml fresh Lime Juice
Fever Tree Ginger Ale
​

Pour all of the Berry Spritzer ingredients into an ice-filled tall glass.

Top off with Fever Tree Ginger Ale and garnish with juicy berries and a sprig of fresh mint.