The Australian Distillers Association (ADA), Spirits Victoria Association (SVA), and Agriculture Victoria are pleased to announce the appointment of Marianne Duluk as the new Industry Development Officer and Spirits Victoria Association Executive Officer, commencing 4 May 2026.

While Sebastian Costello leaves big shoes to fill, we are confident Marianne brings the experience, energy and leadership needed to support the continued growth of Victoria’s distilling sector.

Marianne joins the role with close to 20 years’ experience across global marketing, brand and export leadership in the premium beverage sector, including more than a decade leading international marketing and export initiatives. She is exceptionally well placed to support and evolve the Victorian spirits industry at a time of significant opportunity.

James Omond, President of SVA in welcoming the announcement, said:

"Marianne brings exactly the blend of skills our sector needs right now - from managing multi-million dollar government-funded programs and leading export capability initiatives across 17 international markets, to building the strong relationships with producers, associations and government agencies that will be critical to delivering the Vic Distilled Program."

"This appointment would not have been possible without the generous support of the Victorian Government through Agriculture Victoria. Their investment in the Vic Distilled Program reflects a genuine commitment to strengthening Victoria’s distilling sector, supporting regional producers, and building the capability our industry needs to thrive in both domestic and international markets."

Currently leading global industry growth programs for South Australia’s wine, food and beverage sector within the South Australian Government, Marianne holds end-to-end accountability for major government-funded initiatives spanning grants, export readiness, market activation and diversification. Her portfolio includes leadership of the Spirits Expansion Program, as well as the $3.9 million Global Wine Growth Program and the Premium Food and Beverage Export Growth Program.

Acting as a key liaison between industry, associations and government, Marianne has worked closely with organisations including Distillers SA, Food SA, Austrade and Wine Australia - regularly engaging with CEOs and senior stakeholders to align strategy with delivery outcomes.

Having previously spent nine years working across leading Victorian wine businesses, Marianne also brings a strong understanding of the state’s broader food, wine and beverage landscape, along with a genuine passion for the Victorian distilling community and its contribution to the state’s hospitality and visitor economy.

In accepting the role, Marianne said:

“It’s a privilege to join such a passionate and innovative community, and I’m thrilled to be on board. I’m looking forward to working closely with local producers and helping unlock growth opportunities so their businesses can thrive.”

The Australian Distillers Association (ADA) exists to represent and strengthen Australia’s distilling industry.

 But we are more than an industry Association, we are a community. A community of 400+ distilleries and their supply chain partners that work together to ensure collective success.

 Working closely with our members, we play a critical role in helping to level regulatory playing fields, to provide valuable information and re­sources to ensure our members lives are a little easier and to promote the unique contribution Australian craft distilleries make to the nation.

 Being a member gives you the opportunity to participate in the conversation, the strategy and to share in the wins.

 Download the Member Benefits and consider joining the ADA family today!

Hi everyone, 

It is with a heavy heart that I let you know I will be stepping back from my role as Industry Development Officer for the Victorian Spirits Industry. I have really enjoyed my time here. 

I have been beyond proud of the effort and programs we have created, from setting up education pathways and the National Distilling Institute, to direct grants for distillers in safety, sustainability, export and distillery doors. I am incredibly excited to see the Vic Distilled campaign come to life and pumped to see it take us to the next level. 

I would like to thank the incredible support I have received from all the distillers in Victoria. The ADA and SVA Committees, who have been leading the charge and continue to volunteer their time to better the industry. A huge thank you to the amazing support from the Victorian Government, especially the work from Agricultural Victoria, Global Victoria, Visit Victoria, and Tourism and Events, through the Distillery Door Program, which has benefited this industry. It has been truly transformational, and each member of parliament has worked so hard for this budding industry. 

The industry has grown significantly over the three years I have been in this role, and we have a clear strategy for building into the future. With four clear priorities: Win at Home, Scale & export, Community & Advocacy, and Collaboration.

If we continue to work as a group, we will create an industry that is sustainable into the future, make Victorian Spirits the envy of Australia, and give it a true place to play on the world stage. 

Thank you for sharing your stories and passion with me. I am incredibly honoured that I got to repeat these stories far and wide. 

I will be moving on to start a new chapter of my life with an exciting organisation, The Parenthood. I will be taking a role as a Dad Advocate (yes, it is a real job), which I am really thrilled to start.  

My last day will be the 4th of March. I will have the same mobile number, so I will always be available for a chat. Keep making those great spirits and, more importantly, those incredible experiences that we get right here in Victoria. I look forward to raising a glass with you shortly. 

I will be having farewell drinks at Whisky & Alement, Tuesday, March 3rd, at 4 pm - 9 pm, to tell a few more stories about Victorian Spirits. https://events.humanitix.com/seb-s-farewell

If you do want to stay up to date with the industry, please email info@spiritsvictoria.org.au or sign up for the SVA newsletter. 

I have not named names, as there are way too many to thank. You know who you are. Thank you.

Seb Costello
Industry Development Officer

Are you passionate about the craft spirits sector and ready to make a real impact? We're on the hunt for an Industry Development Officer to support the exciting growth of Victoria's dynamic distilling industry!

This is a fantastic opportunity to lead the delivery of the Vic Distilled Program, working with Spirits Victoria Association and the Australian Distillers Association, and alongside the Victorian Government, to champion local distillers. You'll oversee the delivery of an existing grants program, training, and export initiatives whilst building strong relationships with distillers, government agencies, and regional bodies across the state. From facilitating workshops and industry events to representing Victorian distillers at trade shows and conferences, no two days will be the same!

We're looking for a self-driven, strategic professional with proven experience managing industry development programs and exceptional stakeholder engagement skills. You'll be comfortable working autonomously, managing multiple priorities, and travelling to regional Victoria. Experience in the spirits, food, or beverage sectors is a bonus but not essential.

This is a full-time equivalent role based in Victoria with flexible arrangements available for the right candidate.

Ready to raise a glass to your next career move? Apply now and help shape the future of Victoria's world-class distilling industry! Further information is available in the Position Description.

Applications close: 23 February 2026

Position Description - Victorian Distillers Program - Industry Development Officer - February 2026.pdf

The CDS Expansion – Info for suppliers pack and Workshop 2 held with the Spirits Industry on 30 October 2025 confirms regulators are moving toward a more nationally consistent CDS, including a national portal, a micro-supplier concept, simplified reporting, an education-first compliance model and an aligned labelling transition.

Read more - National Spirits Sector Position Paper on CDS Expansion and National Harmonisation.pdf

With the Christmas season fast approaching, now is the right time to check in on your online profile and ads.

Christmas Advertising Watch and Review.pdf

Why This Matters

When MPs visit a distillery, they get it. They meet you, they meet your team, they see the equipment, it makes it real, and they hear first hand what makes our industry vibrant and what holds it back.

These visits make a lasting impression. Last term, several distillers secured follow-up support, letters to Ministers, and even meetings simply by opening their doors. One distillery visit can be the difference between an MP who’s neutral, and one who becomes an active supporter.

Right now, our communications with MPs are focused on two things:

• Raising awareness of the real people and businesses behind the Australian spirits industry.

• Encouraging MPs to write to the Minister for Industry & Innovation, Senator the Hon. Tim Ayres, supporting the recommendations from the Food & Beverage Manufacturing Inquiry: to establish Spirits Australia; and Conduct a review of alcohol taxation in Australia

The Strategy

During the Federal Election campaign, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a $50,000 increase to the Alcohol Manufacturers Remission (AMR) from 1 July 2026, which supports every single distillery across the country. We’ve seen the value of the AMR decline in real terms since it was introduced, and this increase will go some way to restoring its original value.

Now is the time to welcome your local MPs to your distillery, congratulate them on their election or re-election, thank them for this AMR increase, and also outline the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. This can include everything, from your hopes and dreams for your distillery to the things that constrain further growth – like excise and a lack of coordinated Federal Government support and investment to help the industry realise its full potential.

Some MPs are brand new and may not even know they have distilleries in their electorate, let alone how incredible the Australian distilling industry is. So, now is the time to start them on their journey of discovery by inviting them to your distillery to get them across the positive contribution your business makes in your local area or region, to help them become an ally of your business and our great industry.

Distillery visits help MPs see the industry through our eyes, building an understanding of how we contribute to their electorate and the national economy, while engaging them on an emotive level that can translate to support in Parliament.

Download this Member Action Pack and invite your Local MP now ! 

MEMBER ACTION PACK.pdf

Cameron Mackenzie here - I have just started as the Interim General Manager of the Australian Distillers Association. Some of you might know me as a co-founder of Four Pillars and the current President of Spirits Victoria.

Three weeks ago, I was sitting on a beanbag in my pyjamas at lunchtime, eating Twisties and watching Seinfeld. Fast forward to last Thursday, I was wearing my best pink shirt/blue jacket combo and meeting with the Assistant Treasurer at the Parliamentary Offices in Melbourne. Not exactly the gap year I had in mind but I’m absolutely loving the ride so far.

To be honest, the timing couldn’t be better. The Saints are dreadful (yes, I’m a long-suffering Victorian), trout season is closed, and my wife was on the verge of kicking me out of the house if I didn’t find something to do. So here I am, and it’s great to be on board.

It’s fair to say the last fortnight has been a whirlwind. We have so many great things going on and it’s brilliant to see so many familiar and new faces on all the Teams calls I’ve joined.

Last week I had the pleasure of joining our fearless leaders Holly and David as we sat down with Assistant Treasurer, Dr Daniel Mulino MP. It was a terrific opportunity to talk about the potential of our industry and to acknowledge the importance of the Alcohol Manufacturers Remission Scheme (AMR). More on this in the AMR Member Update below.

We also took the opportunity to stress the importance of creating Spirits Australia and the Spirits Exporter Accelerator Strategy. Dave also managed to sound like an expert on blockchain – impressive!

Over the next few weeks I will be focusing on keeping the Association’s momentum going, whilst helping to recruit a permanent GM, offering some thoughts on the structure of the organisation, and helping to streamline a few internal processes along the way. I will be working closely with the Board, and doing my best to be useful where I can.

A big thank you to Michael and the Board for helping me settle in. I’ve got a lot to learn, but I hope I can add some value during my time in the chair, building on the incredible work that’s already been done over the past few years.

Looking forward to working with many of you and if you’ve got questions, ideas, or just want to talk about why the Saints can’t kick straight, I’m all ears.

Stay well,

Cam

Alcohol Manufacturers Remission Scheme Member Update:

The Australian Distillers were invited to meet with Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino on Thursday 19th June. Acting General Manager Cameron Mackenzie, President Holly Klintworth and Vice President David Vitale represented Australian Distillers, and also present was an ATO representative. This meeting was initiated by government following the ground work laid by former CEO Paul McLeay to ensure our industry has a seat at the table, and to discuss the ADA’s key asks: establish a Spirits Australia, support the Spirits Export Accelerator Program, place a freeze on excise and review the current tax regime inclusive of whether the Alcohol Manufacturers Remission Scheme (AMR) is meeting its policy objectives in its current form – because we know that with the right policy settings, the Australian distilling industry’s true potential can be unleashed.

When the AMR was introduced in July 2021 to give distillers the same support as the wine industry, many Australian spirits producers agreed it was a game changer for many in our industry, received at a time when it was needed most. Different businesses have harnessed the AMR in different ways. Because the AMR is fixed, the production frontier reduces twice per year, every year. The Labor government’s announcement during the election campaign to increase the AMR from $350K to $400K from 2026 was a welcome relief for our industry which at present is battling multiple challenging economic factors that are weighing heavily on members. While the $50K increase is a welcome step, it effectively returns the AMR closer to its original value in real terms and does little to address the structural limitations of the scheme. As currently designed, the policy does not provide a clear pathway for distilleries to scale sustainably beyond the remission threshold. Without further refinement, it risks falling short of supporting the long-term viability of the industry - regardless of whether your aspirations are local, national, or international.

The ADA’s position is that nearly four years on, it is prudent to conduct a review of the AMR by establishing a working party between government and industry, to ensure efficiency and alignment with the original intent of the policy. It is a positive first step, that government have engaged with industry on this issue, and Australian Distillers continue to actively pursue our policy objectives with government, and will keep members informed of any developments.

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The 2025 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) has announced the eight finalists for World’s Best Gin, with four Australian spirits (and three Australian Distillers Members) up for the top award.

The IWSC is one of the world’s oldest and most respected competitions, often referred to as the “Olympics of the drinks industry”. It sets the global benchmark for quality across wine, spirits and other drink categories, evaluating over 12,000 entries annually from more than 90 countries.

The eight finalists in the World’s Best Gin category were all awarded the IWSC’s Gold Outstanding medal. To earn a Gold Outstanding medal a gin must score at least 98 out of 100 points. While this year’s competition saw 264 gins receive medals, only eight achieved the Gold Outstanding distinction.

The Aussie gins that won Gold Outstanding medals were Australian Distilling Co.’s Navy Gin, Nine Circles Distillery’s Signature Gin, 30 Knots Spirits Sea Spray Gin and Turner Stillhouse’s Three Cuts Distiller’s Release Gin.

“We are thrilled to be included among the world’s best gins and proud to be recognised as Australia’s most awarded distillery,” said Australian Distilling Co. Founder Michael Hickinbotham.

“This acknowledges the way we we craft our uniquely Australian gins and is a testament to our focus on producing the very best spirits.

“We are fortunate to have the skills and expertise of our master distiller, Professor Graham Jones, who has taught generations of South Australian winemakers and distillers at the University of Adelaide for almost 35 years.

“The competitions we enter provide endorsement at the highest level and give us confidence that judges and consumers appreciate and enjoy our spirits.”

The final selection for World’s Best Gin will be revealed at the IWSC gala later this year in London.

First published in Drinks Digest June 2025.

We’re excited to share something new. After some great conversations at the Australian Distillers Conference, we took your feedback seriously. The response to our new 1-litre bottle sample was so positive that we went straight into action.

This new bottle is lightweight, easy to handle, and designed with on-premise use in mind. It has a comfortable diameter that makes pouring smooth and effortless, which is ideal for bartenders and busy service environments. It also works perfectly with our stocked screw caps, so you can get moving quickly without needing custom closures.

Beyond function, it looks great too. The clean shape gives it strong shelf appeal, and once it’s dressed up with a label, it really stands out. It’s a great fit for duty-free displays or anywhere you want your product to catch the eye.

We’ve also made it easy to customise. You can decorate or personalise the bottle with labels, screen printing, or embossing, even for runs under 10,000 units. That means more flexibility for brands that want to do something unique without committing to huge volumes.

If you’d like to learn more or request a sample, get in touch with us at internalsales@uniquepak.com.au. We’d love to help you bring your next packaging idea to life.