Where Hunter Valley wine heritage meets Australian botanical craft.

A collaboration between United Cellars and Mount Pleasant Winery, Project Gin is a distinctly Australian gin built around one of the Hunter Valley’s most celebrated vineyards. The Lovedale Vineyard was planted by legendary winemaker Maurice O’Shea in 1946 and has become synonymous with exceptional Hunter Valley Semillon. That heritage now finds a new expression in this small batch gin.

Distilled from Mount Pleasant’s Semillon grapes, the spirit carries an unmistakable sense of place. Delicate floral notes lead into ripe citrus, white peach and subtle vinous characters, creating a refined aromatic profile that feels closer to the vineyard than the traditional gin still.

The botanicals have been carefully selected to complement rather than overpower the Semillon. Finger lime and munty add vibrant Australian citrus, while wattleseed brings subtle nutty depth and quandong contributes a delicate tartness and lift. The result is layered and beautifully balanced, with the natural character of the grape remaining at the centre.

On the palate, it is elegant and fresh, with bright citrus, gentle spice and a clean, lingering finish. There is plenty of complexity without the heaviness or botanical intensity often associated with modern flavoured gins.

Enjoy it simply with a light tonic and a minimalist garnish, or use it as the foundation for a white Negroni or Semillon spritz. However you serve it, Project Gin offers a unique meeting point between the heritage of one of Australia’s great vineyards and the creativity of contemporary Australian distilling.

A rare collaboration that brings the character of Lovedale, the legacy of Maurice O’Shea and the unmistakable personality of Hunter Valley Semillon into the world of gin.