Wild Lot Distillery: ‘Farm to Bottle’ gin in the heart of Margaret River – Perth is OK reports.

Western Australia has a rapidly growing industry of independent distilleries, bottling everything from oak aged whiskies and rum to limoncello and gin loaded with local, native botanicals.

While size isn’t everything, one distillery can likely claim to be one of WA’s smallest, and despite its size, its flagship gin certainly isn’t lacking when it comes to flavour or effort.

Wild Lot Distillery is located in the small, regional town of Karridale – not too far from popular farm to fork restaurant Glenarty Road and South West institution Karridale Tavern. The distillery and cellar door are set upon the sprawling family farm of Rebecca and Slade de Burgh, who do everything from pick farm-grown botanicals, undertake tastings within the cellar door and bottle and label their gin.

“Wild Lot Distillery is a family-driven venture,” Rebecca explains. “My passion for crafting spirits, appreciation for hospitality and commitment to sustainability drive the vision for Wild Lot and while I’m at the helm of day-to-day operations, this is very much a family effort.

“My husband provides invaluable support, and our kids keep us grounded and inspired. We’re also fortunate to have the encouragement and collaboration of our incredible expanding network and community.”

Open daily, visiting Wild Lot Distillery offers a point of difference to other distilleries in the region and beyond, with the opportunity to taste their flagship Fortuna Gin crafted with farmgrown lemons and aromatic herbs as well as settle in for snack plates and even tase some other bespoke Australian spirits.

“Guests can enjoy tastings, small bar, light food, learn about the craft of distilling, and explore the seasonal ingredients that make each batch unique. In addition to our own spirits, we are curating a collection of beautiful Australian craft spirits for tasting and retail,” Rebecca tells us.

“While we proudly champion WA products, we also showcase exceptional spirits from across Australia, offering a unique opportunity to discover bottles that are not commonly found in WA.”

It’s all part of Wild Lot Distillery’s mission to offer something entirely original to the region – typically famed for its wine – while leaning into an established and growing ethos of sustainability and community.

“Our focus goes beyond creating exceptional spirits; we aim to advance and connect with the region’s rich agricultural industries, adding value through our farm-to-bottle ethos. We embrace a community-centred approach, celebrating the seasonal produce of our region and sharing the beauty of farm-fresh ingredients in every batch.”

For Rebecca and Slade, Wild Lot Distillery is more than a business, it’s a passion driven venture with organic growth on the horizon and a celebration of everything good about WA’s South West region – all captured in a bottle in the form of delicious gin.

“Fortuna Gin is a celebration of the Margaret River region’s farm-fresh produce,” Rebecca explains of their debut release. “It’s a classic, juniper-forward gin featuring Karridale lemons for a bright citrus profile.

“Each bottle comes with a thyme-seed swing tag, allowing customers to grow their own garnish and highlight the gin’s farm-fresh botanicals.”

Wild Lot Distillery is located at 764 Brockman Highway, Karridale, and is open from 11am-5.30pm Friday-Sunday.

By Jono Outred Published Feb 21, 2025