Tamburlaine: 40 Years of Organic Excellence and Award-Winning Innovation
- Liane Morris
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
In the world of Hunter Valley wine, few names resonate quite like Tamburlaine Organic Wines.
With 60 years of winemaking history behind it, the Pokolbin-based producer has been led for the past 40 of those years by Managing Director Mark Davidson and General Manager Lou Davidson, who have built a reputation for innovation, integrity and quality, crafting organic wines that are as thoughtful as they are award winning. But while wine remains at the heart of Tamburlaine's story, the team has been quietly distilling something new behind the scenes - a spirit with a name as playful as its origins: Herding Cats Gin.
“It really started as a bit of a happy accident,” said Samantha Elliott, Tamburlaine’s Executive Director of Branding, Digital Sales & Marketing.
“In 2020, during the bushfires, some of our grapes were severely affected by smoke taint. The resulting wines couldn’t be used for our table wines, so our distiller, Tim, suggested we might be able to distil them into a neutral spirit and remove the taint - and it worked! From there, he began experimenting with botanicals, and our gins were born.”
That moment of serendipity has since evolved into a full-blown venture that’s every bit as principled and innovative as Tamburlaine’s winemaking philosophy.
“Just as we grow our grapes organically and handle every stage of winemaking ourselves, we wanted to apply the same ethos to gin,” said Samantha.
“Tamburlaine is one of the very few gin producers in Australia to distil their own neutral spirit from scratch.”
Neutral spirit is a distilled alcohol that’s been purified or “rectified” through a column still to reach around 95% alcohol by volume, removing all flavour compounds, producing a clean canvas on which gin’s botanicals can truly shine.
“In most cases, gin producers buy neutral spirit, either grape based or wheat-based, from one of two major commercial distilleries in Australia. We use our own organic wine that is not up to our high standards for use in our table wines instead, which would otherwise go to waste. It’s a sustainable approach and gives us complete control over quality and origin.
“The name Herding Cats came from the idea of trying to make the ‘perfect’ gin. With so many possible botanicals and infusion options, it’s basically an impossible task - like herding cats! But that’s the fun of it. Our gins are meant to be a joyful experience, enjoyed in a cracking G&T or cocktail where the botanicals really shine through.”
Tamburlaine Wines’ Herding Cats range turns organic wine spirits into a playful, award-winning collection. Sip the Sauvignon Blanc Infused Gin, bursting with passionfruit and ginger, or That’s Amore, an Italian-style blend of olive, thyme, and lemon. Try Beachcomber Vodka with hand-foraged kelp and native saltbush or explore the fun flavours of Double Dutch Gin (coriander, cardamom, citrus, and juniper), Sunday Bloody Sunday Gin (blood orange and lemon myrtle), and Gingle Bell Rock Gin, a festive nod to Christmas cake and mulled wine. Each spirit showcases Tamburlaine’s craftsmanship, innovation, and the unique character of the Hunter Valley, earning multiple awards at the 2024 London Spirits Competition and Australian Gin Awards.
While the distillery may be the newest arm of the business, Tamburlaine’s winemaking credentials continue to speak for themselves. The past twelve months have been particularly golden.
“Very recently our 2024 Reserve Cabernet Franc won Best Organic Wine and Best Other Red Single Variety trophies, and our 2024 Reserve Orange Cabernet Sauvignon took home Best Cabernet Sauvignon at the NSW Wine Show. That follows on from last year’s ‘Best Wine of Show’ for our 2023 Orange Syrah, which also claimed Best Organic Wine and Best Shiraz. Our 2025 Wine Lovers Off-Dry Riesling just won Best Semi-Dry Riesling at the Canberra International Riesling Challenge, and our 2024 Reserve Malbec was named one of Australia’s top Malbecs by Young Gun of Wine.”
Add to that the Best Shiraz trophy for the 2024 Point 65 Syrah at the Orange Wine Show, plus another 20 medal-winning Tamburlaine wines, and you begin to understand why the team is heading into their 40th vintage with such energy and optimism.
“We’ve just released our latest Reserve range wines, which are at least as good as last year’s trophy winners. And we’ve also disgorged our special 60th anniversary edition of ‘Alannah’ Méthode Champenoise, our flagship sparkling wine, made in the traditional Champagne method. It’s a wine we’re incredibly proud of, and it truly rivals the best Champagne has to offer.”
Innovation is a word that crops up frequently in any conversation about Tamburlaine. From pioneering organic viticulture in the 1980s to their award-winning non-alcoholic range and eco-friendly packaging, the winery has always been one step ahead of the curve.
Their popular Jack Squat non-alcoholic wines have just undergone a major reinvention in collaboration with the University of Adelaide. “The new range has no added sugar, which is quite unusual for an alcohol-free wine, and we’ve worked hard to improve the mouthfeel so it’s more wine-like. The demand for zero-alcohol products has more than doubled in Australia since 2020, and we see it as a permanent shift in the market. We’re proud to offer an enjoyable alternative for those who can’t or choose not to drink alcohol.”
On the lighter side, the team is also trialling ready-to-drink (RTD) cans of their Half Cut low-alcohol piquette, another example of Tamburlaine’s willingness to experiment and evolve.
Tamburlaine’s commitment to sustainability runs deeper than organic vineyards and recycled barrels. Their Lizard Drinking collection, launched recently, brings the same eco-conscious mindset to packaging.
“Lizard Drinking was initially a trial responding to growing eco awareness. The bottles are made from existing plastic that would otherwise end up in landfill, no virgin materials, and they’re fully recyclable, including the label and lid. They’re also about one-tenth the weight of glass, so transport produces far fewer carbon emissions. Members love them, especially for camping, caravanning, boating or picnics. They’re smash proof, lightweight, and even stackable. We’ve even seen people reuse them as drink bottles or ice packs!”
Importantly, the initiative doesn’t replace traditional glass bottles; it simply gives consumers a choice.
“There’s a time and place for both. We love being able to offer options that suit people’s lifestyles and values.”
With summer on the way, Tamburlaine is preparing for one of its busiest and most joyful seasons. New gift packs have just been launched in time for Christmas, featuring a gin sampler (three 200ml bottles of their most popular Herding Cats gins and a jigger), curated wine bundles for every palate, stylish cooler bags, and even a non-alcoholic Jack Squat pack for those who want to keep the celebrations light.
“Our members love these gift packs. They make Christmas shopping easy and fun, and they showcase the full diversity of what Tamburlaine does, from organic wine to gin to eco-friendly and non-alcoholic options.”
For those visiting Pokolbin, the Tamburlaine Cellar Door is open every day except Christmas.
“We welcome walk-ins for a free tasting. Or you can book ahead for a private tasting and cheese platter. Our team loves introducing visitors to our wines and now, of course, our gins too.”
As vines burst into life for vintage 2026, the mood at Tamburlaine is one of excitement and optimism.
“Heading into their 40th vintage, Mark and Lou are as energised as ever. With green shoots of export opportunity, growth in our wholesale business, and a refreshed online store and wine club, the future looks bright.” From organic pioneers to gin innovators, Tamburlaine continues to prove that tradition and experimentation can coexist beautifully, in the glass, in the vineyard, and now, in the still.
Visit www.tamburlaine.com.au for more information.
