Australian drinks sector supports bushfire-hit producers
Melbourne bar Gin Palace will host a fundraiser next week in aid of two Australian producers that have been severely damaged by Victoria’s recent bushfires.
Taking place on Monday 2 February, the ‘Pour It Forward’ fundraiser will help wine producer Maison Lapalus and craft spirits producer Maidenii – which specialises in premium vermouths and apéritifs – after both endured heavy damage at the hands of Victoria’s bushfires earlier this month.
The pair share a production facility at Harcourt Coolstore in Victoria, Australia.
Reporting damage on Instagram, the Maidenii team said Maison Lapalus’s wine business has lost everything from stock to equipment, while Maidenii lost equipment, a 10-year-old solera system and part of its stock, which included all vintage vermouth and museum stock.
Of what remains, the team said there is still some vermouth in different cellars, in bulk and bottled.
Maidenii was created in collaboration by French winemaker and owner of Maison Lapalus, Gilles Lapalus, and Australian bartender and Gin Palace alum Shaun Byrne. The brand’s vermouth has been the house pour at Gin Palace for more than a decade.
For next week’s fundraiser, Gin Palace alumni will return behind the bar serving a one-night-only cocktail list featuring supporting brands, with drinks backed by chicken sandwiches. The event is walk ins only and will run from 4pm to 3am.
All proceeds from the evening will go to Maison Lapalus and Maidenii.
Australia’s drinks community has come out in full support with some of the donors so far including Never Never Distilling; Melbourne Gin Co; Marionette Liqueur; Bellicose Distilling Co; Sullivans Cove; Dasher + Fisher Gin; North of Eden Gin; Four Pillars; and Archie Rose.
Donations can also be made to a Go Fund Me page supporting the production facility’s rebuild.
The page has amassed nearly AU$50,000 (US$35,00) so far from 238 donations at the time of writing.
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