Our Journey from Nursing to Gin Making
The Story Behind Ginny Pig Distillery
What do nursing and distilling gin have in common? At first glance, not much. But for us, they share more than you’d think. Nursing taught us how to measure precisely, how to get ratios right, and how to stay calm under pressure (after all, people’s lives depended on it!). But for me (Bec), distilling became more than just a science. It was therapy.
- As a former palliative care nurse, my days were filled with moments of deep connection, emotional intensity, and physical demands. It’s one of the most rewarding areas of nursing, but also one of the hardest. The emotional weight of helping people navigate their final days can take a toll. And looking back now, I can see that I was on the verge of burnout. That’s when gin-making became my escape.
The simple, methodical nature of distilling was exactly what I needed. There’s something about measuring out botanicals, waiting for the still to heat up, and carefully noting down each change that allowed me to decompress. With every teaspoon I’d taste, I’d jot down my notes: “needs more spice,” “maybe a touch more sultanas,” “what if I add this?” It was a process of trial and error, a journey where each step brought me closer to creating something truly special.
But it wasn’t just about the process. During those long days as a nurse, I shared many a gin—sometimes with patients who wanted to toast their lives, sometimes with family members who just needed a little distraction or something to take the edge off a difficult or emotional situation . A quiet moment over a glass of gin became a way to share stories, to laugh, to cry, and to remember. Those moments, often bittersweet, are now cherished memories that I hold very close.
That emotional connection is what I’ve carried with me into Ginny Pig Distillery. Every gin we create isn’t just about flavour; it’s about creating something that brings people together, that sparks conversations and creates memories.
Take our Hot Cross Bun Gin, for example. What started as a wild idea—could we bottle the flavours of a hot cross bun?—turned into an obsession. I would taste a little each day, tweaking the recipe, trying different combinations until one day, it hit me: that’s it. That’s exactly what a liquid hot cross bun should taste like! And now, that gin has become a fan favourite. But for us, it’s more than just a bottle of gin. It’s a symbol of passion, persistence, and a bit of that old nursing determination!
Today, Ginny Pig Distillery has grown far beyond those early days. With our new distillery expansion in the works that's set to triple our production capacity, and the relocation of our Distillery Door, we’re ready for the next chapter. But despite the growth, one thing remains the same: it’s the personal connections, the stories shared over a G&T, and the sense of community that drives us.
Whether you’re stopping by our temporary cellar door in McLaren Vale or catching us at one of the markets, we’d love to hear your story too. For us, gin isn’t just a drink. It’s a way to celebrate life’s moments—big or small, happy or sad—with a little bit of warmth and a lot of flavour.
So grab a G&T, raise a glass, and toast to making memories and making dreams a reality – one sip at a time.
Cheers,
Bec
From Scrubs to Stills: A Glimpse Into Our Journey
Here’s a little peek into those early days. Craig and I (I'm still in my scrubs after a nursing shift) standing next to Charlie, our trusty copper pot still. In between caring for patients, we’d experiment with botanicals—like the ones you see here, carefully weighed out for our Hot Cross Bun Gin.
Balancing nursing with distilling wasn’t always easy, but it was this passion that carried us through and brought Ginny Pig Distillery to life.
Every bottle tells a story, and these moments are where ours began.
Which gin will you choose to share with that special someone?
Subscribe for Newsletter
The latest news, events and stories delivered right to your inbox