Locality, Story, Flavour: A Celebration of Australian Ingredients at Sydney Bar Week
At the core of Archie Rose spirit making is a deep respect for Australia’s raw ingredients and growers, with a commitment to ethically sourcing natural and native ingredients directly from local producers across the country to create exceptional products.
It is sometimes overlooked that at the heart of every great dish and drink lies a story—one that begins with the land, the grower, and the people whose passion and craft make it all possible.
This ethos is carried through in everything Archie Rose does, and as a proud sponsor we had the pleasure of once again bringing it to life at this year's Sydney Bar Week, Australia's largest celebration of the people, venues, and craftsmanship that shape our industry. This week-long event brings together industry professionals from all over the country to Sydney, featuring a jam-packed schedule of must-attend events hosted by some of the best in the business.
In collaboration with The Waratah, we hosted ‘Locality, Story, Flavour: Grower’s Lunch - a celebration of the ingredients, growers and producers who make what we do possible.
We welcomed some of the industries finest at a long lunch, where we heard stories from the people behind the ingredients, including Evan Stroeve of The Waratah, John Prince from Rooftop Bees, Gabriel Enrique Gutnik of Ziggy’s Wildfoods, and our very own Master Distiller Dave Withers. Over the afternoon, these passionate voices shared their stories, delving into the vital relationship between growers, producers, distillers, and chefs.
The menu and paired Archie Rose cocktails, expertly curated by The Waratah team, was a showcase of native and locally sourced ingredients, each item incorporating the beautiful produce of our guest speakers.
“One of the most fantastic parts about having such an incredible array of produce is being able to talk directly to the grower. Having that relationship with the land via the grower forces us to stay in tune with the cycles of the season and the harvest itself, resulting in a true expression of the ingredients and provenance behind our spirits.” - Dave Withers, Master Distiller
More than just a meal— the event was a reminder of the intricate connections between the people who grow, forage, and harvest, and those who craft and create.
“Nature reminds us every day that in order to make a good cocktail, a good bread, a good sauce, a good wine and good spirits, you first need a vegetable garden, a field, an orchard, a vineyard—and above all, people to take care of them,” - Evan Stroeve, The Waratah.
The event was a testament to the bounty and diversity of Australian ingredients and the growers and producers behind them. From the vibrant flavours to the heartfelt stories shared by the speakers, it was an afternoon that embodied the very essence of what Archie Rose strives to do—bring people together over exceptional food and drink, crafted with care and passion. Here’s to continuing the conversation around locality, story, and flavour—to the growers, the makers, and to sharing the incredible stories behind every sip and every bite.
To read more about how we feature local and sustainable ingredients in our spirits, visit our spirits data page.