About Hepburn Distillery
Hepburn Distillery works out of a building in central Daylesford that served as Jenkins Hardware for more than 80 years, which is where its Hardware Lane Gin gets its name. Every spirit is fermented and distilled on site, triple-distilled and often aged for months or years. The range covers gin, a potato vodka and small-batch whiskey; at the 2026 Melbourne Royal awards the Hardware Lane Gin won silver and the Vanilla and Bush Honey Vodka won bronze. Owners Brett and Michelle run it as a family business, collect rainwater from the roof for their products and send leftover potato and whiskey mash to local pigs.
The cellar door pours tasting flights of gin, vodka and whiskey, mixes cocktails with the house spirits and also offers mocktails, local beer and soft drinks, with cheeseboards and small snacks. Guided distillery tours are paired with tastings, and full-day Barley to Barrel whiskey workshops run on selected Sundays, including October 18 and November 15, 2026, and January 17 and February 7.
The cellar door is open Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday and Monday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome any time; larger groups should book, especially on weekends. Find the entrance through the laneway beside 61 Central Springs Road.
Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm at Shepherds Flat is about 15 minutes north, so you can tour the lavender farm and finish the afternoon with a tasting in town.
What to do
- Taste flights of house gin, vodka and whiskey
- Take a guided distillery tour with tasting
- Book a full-day Barley to Barrel whiskey workshop
- Try the silver-medal Hardware Lane Gin
- Order a cheeseboard with a cocktail or mocktail
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Cellar door open Thursday to Monday year-round; whiskey workshops on selected Sundays
- Hours
- As posted October 2026: Thu 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Fri–Sat 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun–Mon 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Tue–Wed
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Reservations
- Walk-in (book for larger groups, especially weekends)
Tips for your visit
- Use the laneway beside 61 Central Springs Road to reach the entrance.
- Larger groups should book ahead, especially on weekends.
- The distillery serves only guests 18 and over; plan a designated driver if you'll be tasting.
Pair it with a lavender farm
Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm · about 15 minutes away
Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm is about 15 minutes north at Shepherds Flat, an easy pairing with an afternoon tasting in Daylesford.
Getting there
Questions
Do I need to book?
No, walk-ins are welcome; larger groups should book, especially on weekends.
What spirits do they make?
Gin, potato vodka and small-batch whiskey, all fermented and distilled on site.
When is it open?
Thursday to Monday; closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Daylesford & Hepburn Springs, Victoria
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
