McLaren Vale Distillery
ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A WHISKY, BUT IT TAKES AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO BUILD A LEGACY.
THE IDEA WAS TO DO MORE THAN MAKE A GREAT AUSTRALIAN WHISKY. WE WANTED TO CREATE A NEW, COLLABORATIVE CONCEPT AND ADD ANOTHER RICH LAYER TO THE HERITAGE AND TRADITION OF ONE OF THE NATION’S BEST AND MOST LOVED WINE REGIONS.
OUR HOME AND HEART IS AMONG THE COASTAL VINEYARDS, BUT WE USE THE BEST WINE AND FORTIFIED CASKS FROM WINERIES ALL OVER AUSTRALIA TO AGE OUR WHISKY IN, CREATING UNIQUE SPIRITS OF TRUE PROVENANCE.
Author: Caroline Porsiel
Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.
