The Story Behind Island Distillery

Island Gin Distillery is located on New Zealand’s remote Great Barrier Island, a place where the rainforest meets the sea, about a four-hour barge ride from Auckland.  

Led by distiller Andi Ross, it is an off-the-grid, solar-powered distillery surrounded by native bush with rainwater used in production and Mānuka honey sought from the local beekeeper. Island Gin has built a global reputation not just for its sustainably crafted flavours but also for its stunning Kina shell-inspired bottle, made from 70% recycled New Zealand glass, a first for the country. 

Sarah said: “I have to say Great Barrier Island is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. The rainforest meets the bluest and clearest water and I just knew we were going to make something special.” 

A Sustainable gin story

When we’re lucky enough to call somewhere as beautiful as the Yarra Valley home, we do our best to be as sustainable as possible. Which is why we were so proud to be named Australia's first carbon-neutral gin distillery. It’s also why we were so thrilled to collaborate with Island Gin, a like-minded sustainable distillery on the other side of the ditch who run off solar power and use bottles that are made of 70% recycled glass. 

The Collaboration. Four Pillars x Island Distillery

While our distllers’ backgrounds differ, one arriving at distilling from art and design (Andi, Island Gin), the other from science and wine (Sarah, Four Pillars), each has long admired the other’s approach to their craft. After visiting each other’s homes and distilleries, a friendship was soon formed and a combined gin project was underway: Four Pillars Wild Isle Gin and Andi’s Orange and Mānuka Honey Island Gin. The concept was simple yet brilliant: to swap botanicals and create a taste of each other’s home. 

For our Wild Isle Gin, Sarah was hunting for Bull Kelp off Victoria's Great Ocean Road, bottling the purest seawater and sourcing Old Man Saltbush and Kunzea, two Aussie coastal bushes. The Mānuka honey was gifted by Jacques, the local beekeeper back on Great Barrier Island. 

Over on Great Barrier Island, Andi crafted her version, Orange and Mānuka Honey Island Gin. Of course, she subbed in oranges for grapefruit to mirror our signature Rare Dry Gin, with the Mānuka honey the one shared ingredient. 

Tasting Notes & Experience: What Does Wild Isle Gin Taste Like? 

Sarah had it in her mind that Four Pillars Wild Isle Gin was going to be super coastal and savoury, a reflection of Andi’s home. The botanicals in our Four Pillars Island Distillery collaboration gin, roasted kelp, saltbush, rosemary, Tasmanian pepperberry, bay leaves, and quandongs, deliver a layered and savoury profile. A beautiful brininess from the kelp and seawater is balanced by the delicate sweetness and floral notes of the Mānuka honey. Finally, a citrusy kick from ruby grapefruit rounds it out, making for a beautifully complex and unique gin. 

Andi commented: “Sarah’s background as a winemaker really comes through in her approach to structure and balance. I think Wild Isle Gin really reflects her palate and point of view. It’s layered, coastal, savoury and I love that she dived for the kelp herself. That kind of integrity matters to me.” 

Taking inspiration from the island homes and the botanicals used in the gin, the label artwork for our Wild Isle Gin depicts the local flora and fauna and also (delightfully) glows, a nod to sea life. 

Serving Suggestions: 

• Wild Isle G&T: This gin is best served with a slice of grapefruit. 
• Coastal Gibson Martini: The briny, savoury character makes Wild Isle Gin a natural for a Martini. 

Celebrating Craft, Collaboration, and Sustainable Gin

This collaboration celebrates what Four Pillars and Island Gin have in common: a love for gin, the craft of distilling (and doing it as sustainably as possible), and the glorious abundance of nature that surrounds both their homes. It’s a testament to two distillers, two islands, and a shared vision for making delicious, high-quality gin in a way that’s better for the planet.