Two celebrated gin producers from Western Australia's South West are set to bring the region's distinctive flavours to Perth later this month for a major new event on the state's culinary calendar.
First Ginuary Festival Supports WA Children
The inaugural Ginuary festival will take place at Perth City Farm on Saturday, January 25, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This high-energy celebration of local distilling has been created by the children's charity organisation Variety to bring together some of WA's most exciting spirit makers for an event with a strong community purpose.
All proceeds from Ginuary will directly support Variety WA programs. These initiatives assist children living with disability, illness, or disadvantage by funding essential equipment, communication devices, and various inclusion programs.
Distilleries Capture Essence of the South West
Headlining the festival are Busselton's Beyond Distilling and Nannup's Rainfall Distillery. The event will be hosted by AFL star and distiller Chris Masten, who is also a co-owner of Beyond Distilling.
Mr Masten revealed that his distillery has crafted a new exclusive gin specifically for Ginuary. "We wanted it to taste like a Perth summer — so this mango gin is the perfect summer gin," he said. He emphasised the profound influence of the South West on their approach to flavour, noting a regional appreciation for quality ingredients, balance, and seasonality that guides their production.
"We're really proud of it, and proud to be supporting Variety and WA kids through Ginuary," Masten added.
Authenticity and Place at the Heart of Production
For Rainfall Distillery owner Corrie Scheepers, being part of Ginuary's first year holds significant meaning. "As an independently owned, LGBTQI+ owned estate, we've built our distillery around authenticity, place, and purpose," Scheepers stated.
He explained that Ginuary offers a platform to share not just the gin itself, but the deeper narrative of the South West that infuses every bottle. This story encompasses everything from the harvested rainwater to the fresh, locally sourced botanicals and produce.
"The South West shapes everything we do," Scheepers said. "We distil using only fresh produce, never concentrates or essences, and we make our own base spirits in-house, using a combination of estate-grown chardonnay and local Pemberton potatoes."
Creating Connections Between Makers and Drinkers
Both distillers highlighted the value of festivals like Ginuary in forging direct relationships with the public. Scheepers believes these events create powerful connections where people meet the makers, hear the story, and understand the values behind the brand.
"These moments often become the beginning of long-term relationships, where customers don't just enjoy the product, but feel genuinely connected to its origin," he reflected.
Chris Chatterton, CEO of Variety WA, praised the state's vibrant community of creators. "Ginuary brings that talent together in a way that not only celebrates who we are, but also delivers meaningful support to the children who need us most," Chatterton said. He described the festival as a powerful reminder of what WA can achieve when people unite around a shared purpose.
Tickets for the inaugural Ginuary festival are now on sale.
