Four Pillars says its 2021 Bloody Shiraz Gin might just be it’s best vintage yet … and it’s celebrating by adding new products to the line-up, including a Bloody Shiraz grape and quince paste and a Bloody Shiraz Caviar.  

From its first release in 2015, Bloody Shiraz has transitioned from being an experimental product to an icon in its own right. The annual vintage will be on shelf on June 1, made with Shiraz grapes from the Yarra Valley and surrounding cool-climate vineyards in Heathcote and Yea. 

“The 2021 vintage was a blessed relief from the heat of 2020, it’s a bloody great vintage,” Distiller and Co-Founder Cameron Mackenzie said.

“In fact, I’m gonna call it: best ever vintage. Might’ve said that last year and probably the year before. But you can definitely believe it this time. Until next year, of course.”

From its dark purple colour to its natural  grape-y sweetness, Four Pillars describes Bloody Shiraz Gin as a “happy shock to the senses”. 

“It’s citrusy and spicy; and it’s the perfect balance of sweet fruit and ginny goodness. To put it simply, Bloody Shiraz Gin is a bloody revelation,” the distiller notes.  

Making the gin leaves Four Pillars with hundreds of kilograms of gin-soaked shiraz grape skins, so Four Pillars’ Matt Wilkinson combined the leftover skins with fresh shiraz grapes, quince, sugar, spices, and Bloody Shiraz Gin to make the perfect paste to enjoy with cheese.  

Nick Gorman, co-owner of Yarra Valley Caviar and Matt got chatting about combining Australia’s favourite purple gin with Australia’s best caviar and after 25-plus trials, the pair ended up salting and steeping first harvest Atlantic Salmon roe in Bloody Shiraz Gin for 24 hours, before the pearls were drained, tinned and gently pasteurised.  

  Its unique flavour, burgundy colour and visual appeal is like no other and is (we think) the world’s first gin-infused salmon caviar. The roe is best served very cold as a ‘bump’, or alongside seafood such as Pacific oysters, light white fish sashimi, or even on buttered white bread.  

Where to try the gin for yourself

Keep an eye out for in-store tastings at liquor stores across Australia. An evening of gin, juice and storytelling inspired by Bloody Shiraz Gin is also coming to Eileen’s Bar at the Four Pillars Surry Hills Laboratory for one night only on Wednesday, June 2. 

At the Four Pillars Lab in Surry Hills, Sydney, there will be a 60-minute Bloody Beaut of a Cocktail Masterclass focused on the gin. Join mixologist James Irvine for a seasonal session designed tolift your Bloody Shiraz Gin cocktail skills for winter. At the adjacent Eileen’s Bar there will also be a Bloody Shiraz menu on offer throughout June, featuring four bespoke bloody cocktails plus a special bloody Made from Gin snack.  

In Healesville, Four Pillars is painting the distillery bloody on June 5-6. Staff will be slinging Bloody Shiraz Gin drinks, serving mini crumpets with salmon rillettes and gin roe all weekend and offering a series of specialty 60-minute masterclasses to give attendees a first taste of the 2021 Bloody Shiraz Gin, plus plenty more Bloody Shiraz Gin drinks and Made from Gin snacks.  

Be ready to be showered in all things purple if you head to selected bars and venues in the month of June. Four Pillars will be turning the entire Rooftop at QT Melbourne purple; think purple neons, purple bars and plenty of purple drinks. You can also expect special bloody menus and plenty more fun on offer at QT venues around Australia, at the Paddo Inn and in the soon-to-be-launched Aria Wine Room space.  In July, we’ll also be partnering with Thornbury Picture House and Golden Age Cinema for a bloody themed Gin + Film Festival. More details to come.  

Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin will be available for purchase from 1 June 2021 from www.fourpillarsgin.com, at the Four Pillars Distillery, Healesville, Vic and Four Pillars Lab, Surry Hills, Sydney and from all good bottle shops. RRP $85.00. 700mL. ABV 37.8%.

Our 2021 limited edition label will be available from www.fourpillarsgin.com, at the Four Pillars Distillery, Healesville, Vic and Four Pillars Lab, Surry Hills, Sydney only. 

Yarra Valley Bloody Shiraz Gin Caviar and Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz grape and quince paste will be available for purchase from June 1, 2021 from www.fourpillarsgin.com and at the Four Pillars Distillery, Healesville, Vic and Four Pillars Lab, Surry Hills, Sydney. Caviar: RRP $25 for 25g or RRP $50 for 85g. Grape and quince paste: RRP $10. 160g.

Four Pillars hosts Ordered Chaos Gin Dinner with QT Hotels