Master Distiller Cameron Syme and his team have been working tirelessly to revamp the old Carilley Estate winery in Herne Hill into a new restaurant, bar, cellar door and function space that will bring a taste of his much-loved spirits closer to Perth. Now Limeburners & Giniversity in the Valley has finally opened its beautiful doors so better hit up your favourite designated driver.
The old 200-seat venue has had a complete contemporary makeover, with a new bar that’s been built to showcase the theatre of cocktail making, high ceilings and full-height bifold doors that flood the space with light and draw your eyes out to the thriving gardens—which will be used to grow some of the botanicals that make Giniversity’s award-winning gin so special.
Entrusted with the creation of the venue’s spectacular cocktail list is Bar Manager Sean Walker (ex Coogee Common and Santini Bar and Grill). He’s an absolute pro at finding new ways to showcase garden-fresh flavours while minimising waste. We're pretty obsessed with his Outer Reef cocktail—an enchanting concoction of Giniversity’s Indian Ocean Gin, orange and sage verjus, a ginger beer reduction and native plum with bubbles, and it looks like a magic potion in beverage form.
Sean’s experimental and waste-free approach behind the bar is very similar to owner Cameron Syme’s production philosophy. Always on a mission to find innovative ways of putting local produce in the spotlight, Cameron has sourced wine barrels from his new neighbours at John Kosovich, Talijancich and Olive Farm Wines which he’ll use to draw unique flavours like Verdelho into his award-winning range of gin and whisky.
Further integrating Limeburners & Giniversity into its new neighbourhood, Cameron has collaborated with Stacey Dadd from Champagne and Gumboots—located just 800m up the road—to design a completely gluten-free dessert menu. In fact, the entire food menu will be one hundred per cent gluten-free, making the new Swan Valley venue heaven on earth for coeliacs. We’re talking truffle and mushroom arancini, pulled pork burgers with pickled slaw, gourmet grazing platters, pizzas and more, with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options too.
The entire menu has been carefully curated by consultant chef Stuart Laws, another ambassador for local produce, and in true Limeburners & Giniversity fashion, he’s made sure to design every dish to match the flavours of the craft spirits and local wines on offer.
The Swan Valley venue will soon feature the same gin and whisky blending classes as its Margaret River counterpart, but until then, we’ve heard through the grapevine that you’ll be able to try your hand at some exciting new Giniversity cocktail-making classes.
The Details
What: Limeburners & Giniversity in the Valley
Where: 45 Hyem Road, Herne Hill
When: Opening Friday 10 June 2022
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