Our Story

78 Degrees Distillery was founded in 2014 by winemaker Sacha La Forgia. After completing his degree, Sacha left Australia to work 13 vintages in famed wine-making regions across the globe. During his final stop in Frulia Italy, Sacha spent time at a Grappa distillery where he met a distiller who recognised his ability and passion and encouraged him to return to Australia and start his own distillery.

Sacha hand crafted a copper still and in 2015 launched 78˚ Classic Gin, a product that quickly gained a reputation as a high quality small batch gin showing unique Australian characteristics. 78° is the boiling point of alcohol, water boils at 100° so 78° is the magic number that let’s us distil. For our gin all of our botanicals are extracted at 78° which is much lower than other distilleries.

In 2016, Steve Dorman and Toby Kline of The Hills Cider Company joined Sacha and together they embarked upon the next stage of 78 Degrees Distillery – expanding the product range and increasing production capabilities.

In December 2018, 78 Degrees Distillery moved into its new home, shared with Mismatch Brewing Co, The Hills Cider Company, Vinteloper & Ashton Valley Fresh. The Lot 100 site is home to the state of the art distillery and restaurant, with ample space to grow and utilise the land around it.

As 78 Degrees continue to experiment, research and utilise uniquely Australian botanicals and the range has expanded to include an exciting collection of gins, vermouths, aperitifs and Australian Whiskey. With an enviable number of awards and accolades, 78 Degrees continues to push traditional boundaries and raise the benchmark of craft spirits, all with a uniquely Australian signature.