Perth Distillery Earns Coveted Spot at World-Class Paris Spirits Exhibition
A family-owned Perth distillery has achieved a significant milestone by being selected to represent Australia at one of the world's most prestigious spirits exhibitions. Swan River Distillery, based in Victoria Park, will showcase its unique Western Australian products at the Be Spirits Expo in Paris next week, marking a major international recognition for the local producer.
From Humble Beginnings to International Recognition
Swan River Distillery was founded in 2021 by father-daughter duo Scott and Abby Gleadhill and has experienced remarkable growth in just five years. What began as a modest operation with just seven spirits has expanded to include over thirty distinct products, ranging from premium gins and vodkas to rums, absinthes, and liqueurs. The distillery made history by producing Western Australia's first-ever agave spirit, demonstrating their innovative approach to spirits production.
The Be Spirits Expo represents a particularly significant platform for global spirits producers, known for highlighting the most innovative and premium distilleries from around the world. This year marks the first time the event will operate as a standalone exhibition, having previously been part of the larger Wine Paris expo. This separation reflects the growing global popularity and recognition of premium spirits as a distinct category worthy of dedicated attention.
Exclusive Western Australian Representation
Swan River Distillery's selection carries additional significance as they will be the only Western Australian brand featured at the official Australian table. Through a collaboration between the Australian Distillers Association and Austrade, only eight distilleries from across the entire nation were chosen to represent Australia this year, making Swan River's inclusion particularly noteworthy.
General Manager Abby Gleadhill described the selection as a "hugely significant milestone" for the distillery. "Being selected to represent Australia on an international stage is a huge mark of recognition; not just for our distillery, but for Western Australia as a region that's often underrepresented globally," Ms Gleadhill said. "It shows that Australia isn't just following global trends in spirits; we are leading, pushing creative boundaries, and producing premium, world-class products."
Hyper-Local Ingredients Meet Innovative Techniques
What sets Swan River Distillery apart is their commitment to hyper-local production and innovative distillation methods. The distillery sources ingredients exclusively from local Western Australian farmers and First Nations businesses, while their rum barrels come from the renowned Margaret River region. This local focus creates distinctive flavor profiles that truly represent the Western Australian terroir.
The Victoria Park-based operation also employs its own "innovative method" of vapour infusion distillation, which Ms Gleadhill says has resulted in uniquely Western Australian flavor characteristics that will be on full display in Paris. "The combination of ingredients hyper-local to WA as well as our own distillation method will be on display in Paris next week," she explained.
Global Opportunities and Future Growth
Participation in the Be Spirits Expo represents more than just recognition for Swan River Distillery; it opens doors to significant international opportunities. "Importers, distributors, bar operators, and media from all over the world attend Be Spirits, so it opens doors for exports and new markets, which is critical for our growth," Ms Gleadhill noted.
She emphasized that being featured at the exhibition provides an immediate stamp of quality and trust for their brand while facilitating connections with other global producers. As their first international expo, the event also serves as a valuable learning experience that will influence future product development and business strategy.
"Most importantly, it's a chance to highlight our WA roots, our unique products, and our family story on a global platform," Ms Gleadhill concluded, expressing excitement about sharing Western Australian distilling excellence with the world.
The Be Spirits Paris exhibition will take place from February 9 to 11, 2026, providing Swan River Distillery with a prime opportunity to showcase Western Australian spirits innovation to an international audience of industry professionals and enthusiasts.
