Our Story

78 Degrees Distillery was founded in 2014 by winemaker Sacha La Forgia. Sacha launched 78˚ Classic Gin in 2015, a product that quickly gained a reputation as a high-quality small-batch gin showing unique Australian characteristics. 

78°c is the boiling point of ethanol, water boils at 100°c so 78° is the magic number that lets us distil. For our gin all our botanicals are extracted at 78°c, which is much lower than other distilleries. This allows us the ability to extract much brighter notes and truly capture the essence of the botanicals that we distil. 

In December 2018, 78 Degrees Distillery moved into its new home, at Lot 100 in the beautiful Adelaide Hills region of South Australia. 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 continues to experiment, research and utilise uniquely Australian botanicals, the range has expanded to include an exciting collection of gins, vermouths, aperitifs, vodka, 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.

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.