A dynamic brand collaboration between Canberra’s own Pialligo Estate and Underground Spirits will see “The Estate Gardener’s Gin” make its debut at the Enlighten Festival from 4 – 20 March 2022.
Celebrating all things local, the brands’ creative heads combined to elevate the spirit of Canberra with a unique mix of Estate-foraged botanicals. Using the finest of Pialligo Estate’s springtime forage, the pair worked to produce a gin that boasts raspberries, blackcurrants, fig leaves, lavender, angelica, coriander, juniper and wild fennel pollen.
From farm, to distillery, to glass – Underground Spirits have bottled flavours that bursts with hints of berry and sherbet together with a glowing floral finish, just like a seasonal walk through the Estate garden.
Nestled on the banks of the Molonglo River, Pialligo Estate’s 55 acres of fertile river flats have been producing food for the Canberra region since 1832. The Estate Head Gardener is forever foraging for his next find and this new gin is his best expression of the farm. With handfuls of organic produce from around the grounds, the gin, they say, is best consumed barefoot with soil between your toes.
The duo are releasing the limited-edition gin at a Secret Gin Garden hidden away amongst lush gardens at the Old Parliament House Courtyard. Entering via a secret back entrance, guests can kick back, reconnect and sip on a fun selection of gin and tonics by Underground Spirits, Pialligo Estate wines and Bentspoke beers in a true celebration of Canberra’s drink scene.
The exclusive ticketed event includes entry to the private garden party, a gin paddle with three Underground Spirits gin tastings paired with three tantalising canapés, designed by Pialligo Estate’s Executive Chef, Mark Glenn.
Gin lovers can also pre-order ‘The Estate Gardener’s Gin’ from Underground Spirits’ website from today, with deliveries dispatched from 7 March 2022. Following its debut at Enlighten, The Estate Gardener’s Gin will be available for a limited time on Underground Spirits website, www.undergroundspirits.com.au and via Pialligo Estate’s cellar door.
Quotes from Underground Spirits
“There’s something very special about a gin that is truly created from the ground-up. And in this case, the grounds of Pialligo Estate’s garden. The result of a single day’s forage, this gin features fruits, leaves and flowers harvested from this tranquil slice of Canberra.”
“The Estate Gardener’s Gin label uses the earthy green tone to reflect the grounds of Pialligo’s garden, with the vibrant magenta a nod to the fruits and florals within, particularly the raspberries, lavender and blackcurrants. The feature fig leaf has been designed in the style of Underground Spirits logo, and ties together the seasonality – the gin was foraged in Spring, and will be sipped through Autumn and enjoyed through the seasons”
“We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Pialligo Estate. As a like-minded and well-established Canberra premium brand, they, like us, put a high value on foraging for local ingredients of exceptional quality. They love our gin, and we love their authenticity. And their love of indulging one’s senses and nourishing one’s soul.”
–Claudia Roughley, CEO Underground Spirits
Quotes from Pialligo Estate
“We are always on the lookout for new and exciting ways of expressing the flavours of the Estate and this collaboration with Underground Spirits was the perfect way for us to achieve this”
“By creating a collection of different tinctures out of seasonal ingredients from the Estate and with the learned guidance of the Underground Spirits team we were able to play with different combinations of flavours. The tasting process was rigorous, but also a lot of fun, and we believe the result is a gin that feels fresh, unique and above all, balanced”
-Aaron Rutter, Senior Events Curator, Pialligo Estate
Secret Gin Garden Event Details
Cost pp – $30
When – During Enlighten Festival. Friday, 4 March – Monday, 20 March 2022
Location – Old Parliament House Hoi Polloi Courtyard via secret back entrance to Old Parliament House. Parking in car parks adjacent to and behind Old Parliament House.
How to book: Tickets are limited and can be purchased from the Enlighten Festival website at https://enlightencanberra.com/program/secret-gin-garden/
More information – This event is a part of the Enlighten Festival After Dark program.
How to buy ‘The Estate Gardener’s Gin’: Pre-order online at https://www.undergroundspirits.com.au/ for dispatch 7 March 2022.
