Meet Riverina Gin: The Farm Family Crafting Award-Winning Spirits in the Heart of Australia

Tess and Jake Eaglesham turned their passion for farming and traditional distilling into one of Australia's most respected craft gin brands.

When you taste Riverina Gin, you're experiencing more than just premium spirits—you're tasting the dedication of a farming family who've built their business on traditional values, sustainable practices, and genuine community connection. As one of our featured suppliers, Riverina Gin perfectly embodies the Farm Door philosophy of supporting producers who prioritize quality, authenticity, and agricultural heritage.

The Story Behind Riverina Gin

Two Backgrounds, One Vision

The story of Riverina Gin begins with an unlikely romance between two very different worlds. Tess, born and raised in the Riverina region, comes from generations of local farmers who understand the rhythms of the land. Jake arrived from Scotland's rugged Highlands to play rugby in Wagga, but quickly fell in love with both the region and a local farming lass named Tess.

Today, this husband-and-wife team successfully balances running their award-winning distillery with raising three children—Rosemary, Harriet, and Dougal—while maintaining their connection to the farming life that inspired their business.

From Farm Life to Craft Spirits

Their diverse backgrounds create the perfect foundation for exceptional gin making. Tess brings deep agricultural knowledge and understanding of seasonal ingredients, while Jake contributes traditional Scottish distilling techniques passed down through generations. This combination of local farming wisdom and international craftsmanship sets Riverina Gin apart in Australia's competitive craft spirits market.

"We wanted to create something that truly represented our home," explains Tess. "Every botanical we use tells a story about this region and the people who work the land here."

Traditional Craftsmanship Meets Modern Innovation

The Art of One-Shot Distillation

Every bottle of Riverina Gin is handcrafted in their traditional copper still using a one-shot distillation method that requires patience, skill, and attention to detail. This time-honored approach ensures that each batch maintains the consistency and quality that has earned them recognition across Australia.

The copper still isn't just equipment—it's the heart of their operation. The traditional distillation process allows for precise control over flavor development, ensuring that each botanical contributes its intended character to the final product.

Carefully Selected Botanicals

Riverina Gin's distinctive flavor profile comes from carefully sourced botanicals that reflect the unique character of their region. Their selection process prioritizes:

• Local ingredients whenever possible

• Sustainable sourcing from trusted suppliers

• Seasonal quality that varies naturally with growing conditions

• Traditional botanicals balanced with innovative local additions

This approach creates gins that are both familiar and distinctive, honoring traditional recipes while celebrating the unique terroir of the Riverina region.

A Family Business Built on Farming Values

Balancing Farm Life and Business

Managing a successful distillery while maintaining their connection to farming life gives Tess and Jake unique insights into the challenges and rewards of rural Australian business. Their daily routine includes everything from checking fermentation tanks to helping with homework, creating a business model that prioritizes family values alongside commercial success.

This balance influences every aspect of their operation:

• Sustainable practices that protect the land for future generations

• Community partnerships with local farmers and suppliers

• Educational initiatives that share knowledge about traditional crafts

• Family-friendly business practices that support work-life balance

Supporting Local Agriculture

As farmers themselves, Tess and Jake understand the importance of supporting local agricultural networks. They actively source ingredients from regional growers, creating economic opportunities that benefit the entire farming community.

Their approach demonstrates how value-added agriculture can create new revenue streams for farming families while preserving traditional agricultural knowledge and practices.

Award-Winning Quality and Recognition

Industry Recognition

Riverina Gin has earned recognition from both industry experts and consumers, with awards that validate their commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Their success demonstrates that regional Australian producers can compete with established brands when they focus on authenticity and quality.

Key achievements include:

• Multiple spirit competition medals

• Growing retail and hospitality partnerships

• Featured listings in premium venues

• Export opportunities showcasing Australian craft spirits internationally

The Taste Profile

What sets Riverina Gin apart is its distinctive flavor profile that balances traditional gin characteristics with subtle regional influences. The carefully calibrated botanical blend creates:

• Juniper-forward traditional gin flavor

• Citrus brightness from premium citrus peels

• Herbal complexity from locally-sourced botanicals

• Smooth finish achieved through patient distillation

This profile makes their gins versatile for both classic cocktails and contemporary mixology applications.

Community Commitment and Local Partnerships

Beyond the Distillery

Riverina Gin's impact extends far beyond their production facility. As active community members, Tess and Jake participate in local events, support regional tourism initiatives, and mentor other aspiring craft producers.

Their community involvement includes:

• Educational tours that teach visitors about distillation and farming

• Collaborative events with restaurants, cafes, and other producers

• Support for local causes that strengthen rural communities

• Networking opportunities for regional businesses

Restaurant and Hospitality Partnerships

Working with local chefs and bartenders, Riverina Gin has developed partnerships that showcase how premium regional spirits can elevate dining experiences. These collaborations create:

• Signature cocktail programs featuring local ingredients

• Food pairing experiences that highlight regional produce

• Educational opportunities for hospitality staff

• Tourism attractions that draw visitors to the region

Sustainable Practices and Environmental Stewardship

Responsible Production

As farmers, Tess and Jake understand the importance of environmental stewardship. Their distillery operations incorporate sustainable practices that minimize environmental impact while maintaining product quality:

• Water conservation through efficient production processes

• Waste reduction by repurposing distillation byproducts

• Energy efficiency in heating and cooling systems

• Sustainable packaging choices where possible

Supporting Regenerative Agriculture

Their botanical sourcing preferences support farmers who use regenerative agricultural practices, creating economic incentives for environmentally beneficial farming methods. This approach helps build more resilient agricultural systems while ensuring access to high-quality ingredients.

The Future of Riverina Gin

Growth with Values

As Riverina Gin continues to grow, Tess and Jake remain committed to the values that founded their business. Their expansion plans prioritize sustainable growth that maintains product quality while creating new opportunities for their community.

Future initiatives include:

• Expanded product lines featuring seasonal and limited releases

• Enhanced visitor experiences at their distillery

• Deeper community partnerships with local organizations

• Continued innovation in sustainable production methods

Preserving Craft Traditions

By documenting and sharing their traditional distillation methods, Riverina Gin contributes to preserving important craft knowledge for future generations. Their educational programs help ensure that these skills remain available to aspiring distillers and craft enthusiasts.

Experience Riverina Gin

Visit the Distillery

Located in the heart of the Riverina region, their distillery offers visitors the opportunity to experience traditional gin making firsthand. Tours include:

• Production facility walks with detailed explanations of the distillation process

• Tasting sessions featuring their complete product range

• Botanical gardens showcasing key ingredients

• Historical information about regional agriculture and distillation

Where to Find Their Products

Riverina Gin is available through:

• Direct sales at the distillery

• Premium liquor stores throughout Australia

• Fine dining restaurants and craft cocktail bars

• Online ordering for convenient home delivery

• Special events and farmers markets

Why Riverina Gin Matters to Farm Door

Riverina Gin represents everything Farm Door celebrates: authentic agricultural heritage, sustainable practices, family values, and exceptional quality. Their success demonstrates how farming families can create value-added products that honor traditional skills while building sustainable businesses.

When you choose Riverina Gin, you're supporting:

• Australian farming families building sustainable businesses

• Traditional craftsmanship and agricultural knowledge preservation

• Regional economic development through local partnerships

• Sustainable practices that protect our agricultural future

• Quality products made with genuine care and expertise

Ready to taste the magic that happens when passionate growers, makers and communities come together?

Join us at the Riverina Good Food Weekend and discover the incredible stories, flavours, and connections that make regional Australia so special. Experience the warmth, creativity, and exceptional quality that defines our farming community.

Purchase tickets here

About This Series

This post is part of our Farm Door Supplier Spotlight series, featuring the remarkable producers who make our marketplace a celebration of Australian agricultural excellence. Each story showcases the passion, skill, and values that make these farming families special.