Woombye vodka named best in nation. Now vying for best in world

Cheers to us! The Sunshine & Sons team includes Ruari Reynier, Lorien Irwin, Adam Chapman, Matt Hobson, Michael Conrad and Locky Craven. 

Woombye-based Sunshine & Sons has taken out gold for Australia in the highly coveted World Vodka Awards.

Vodkas from over 20 countries were put to the test with ‘new world’ drops up-staging traditional producing countries like Poland, Sweden and Canada.

An expert panel tested vodkas in four categories: pure neutral, varietal, botanical and flavoured. 

Globally, 38 country winners have been selected and will now undertake additional judging and vie to be named the World’s best - including Sunshine & Sons Original Vodka. The results will be announced on 20 February. 

“From our humble beginnings distilling spirits on the Sunshine Coast, we are thrilled to be on the world stage alongside the world’s best distilleries from South Africa to Scotland,” said Founder Matt Hobson.

“Our Original Vodka is one of less than five per cent of vodkas globally that are produced from grapes giving a soft, spongy and velvety texture that is unmistakably premium in comparison to traditional grain, sugar cane and potato vodkas. 

“Combine this with our uniquely local filtration system, using millennia old volcanic rock from the Sunshine Coast, gives our vodka a beautiful minerality that can be comfortably described as a floral pepperiness,” he added.

Chair of Judges Veronika Karlova said the approach to vodka production had taken a new turn. “Forget the traditional perception of vodka as tasteless and boring – it’s anything but plain and flavourless. 

“Producers really pay attention to ingredients and focus on how to retain the character of raw material in vodka.”

The now-award-winning vodka is available nationally and is the number one seller at popular surf clubs on the Sunshine Coast and is a popular choice for discerning customers at liquor retailers - led in numbers by Noosa Dan Murphys.

“The award is a great way to start 2024 as we double down on export markets this year. In March, we will join AusTrade in London and we’ll be working with our distributors to increase presence globally. 

“We’re also working closely with Visit Sunshine Coast and the Food and Agriculture Network to shine a light on the food and agritourism sector here on the Coast - both to a national and international audience,” said Matt.