Where it all began
The story of Bellarine Distillery began with Russ Watson and Lorelle Warren, a journey through the Scottish Highlands and a fairly ambitious idea.
Inspired by the landscape, ritual and patience behind whisky making, they returned home determined to build a distillery of their own.
In 2015, Bellarine Distillery became the first distillery on the Bellarine Peninsula.
From the beginning, the approach was fiercely independent. Russ, a fitter and turner by trade, helped design and build a purpose-built distilling setup rather than take the easier route.
That fiercely independent approach set the standard for everything that followed: serious craft, thoughtful decisions and no shortcuts.
From Chicken Farm to Distillery
The Drysdale property was once a working chicken farm.
Its old buildings, fertile soil and established trees gave the family a place to build not only a distillery, but a venue and gathering place that felt connected to the Bellarine.
Over time, the farm buildings became the working distillery and cellar door now known as The Whiskery.
Selected botanicals are grown on the property, while Australian ingredients and flavours from further afield help shape spirits that are distinctly Bellarine.
The buildings have improved considerably since their chicken-shed days.
The families behind Bellarine
Nicky and Craig Michael joined Bellarine Distillery in 2017, bringing new skills, experience and energy to the family business.
With a background in science and formal distilling qualifications, Craig became Head Distiller and helped guide the technical direction of the range.
Today, Russ,Nicky and Craig work together across the distillery, The Whiskery and the continued growth of the business.
What began as one ambitious idea has grown into an award-winning spirits range, a much-loved venue and a family business built on practical skill, shared commitment and genuine hospitality.
Lorelle Warren’s legacy
Lorelle was a co-founder of Bellarine Distillery, the creator of Teddy & The Fox and one of the most influential advocates in Australian distilling.
Her vision, drive and practical approach were integral to building Bellarine Distillery into the business it is today.
Beyond Bellarine, Lorelle worked tirelessly to strengthen the wider industry. She helped secure significant government support for Victorian distilleries and played an important role in establishing the Victorian Distillery Door Program. She became known for putting the needs of the industry alongside, and often ahead of, her own.
In 2024, Lorelle was inducted into the Australian Distillers Hall of Fame in recognition of her contribution.
Lorelle passed away in 2025, leaving an extraordinary legacy across Bellarine Distillery, the local community and the Australian spirits industry.
Her influence continues to shape the business, its values and where Bellarine goes next.
Why we're here
Our purpose is to cultivate a community of people who seek to experience life more deeply and celebrate what truly matters. For us, that means creating spirits and experiences that bring people together — around a table, beside the fire, over a shared bottle and in the moments worth slowing down for.
Spirits made to savour, celebrate and share
The Whiskery opened in 2018 with one spirit behind the bar: Teddy & The Fox.
Today, the range includes bright, refreshing gin, expressive liqueurs and small-batch
Australian single malt whisky.
The dogs, wildlife and landscapes of the Bellarine have always been part of life here. They have also found their way onto our bottles, with names and illustrations drawn from real characters, local stories and the place we call home.
Our gin represents the lighter, more playful side of Bellarine. Our whisky reflects patience, ritual and the belief that quality cannot be rushed.
Across everything we make, the aim remains the same: to create spirits worth savouring, made for celebrating and best shared with good people.
