What do an ex-business development manager and podiatrist have in common you ask? An intense passion and determination to create amazing wine and spirits! So much so that their recent collaboration, one of the first Vermouth’s in Queensland, saw the Rosso varietal awarded the best Vermouth in Australia!
MEET JON
Jon Heslop is the Chief Winemaker and founder of Witches Falls Winery, a trailblazer in Queensland’s wine industry. After transitioning from business development to winemaking, Jon’s journey spans regions like the Barossa and Hunter Valley, with international vintages in Burgundy and Napa Valley.
When he decided to build his own winery, there were two things that drove him - the desire to produce unique wines that people would love, and his belief in the incredible potential of Queensland’s Granite Belt as a wine producing region. Witches Falls Winery opened in Queensland’s Gold Coast hinterland in August 2004 and has been instrumental in changing the landscape of Queensland wines.
Since 2004, his dedication to quality and innovation has led Witches Falls to become Queensland’s leading winery, exporting internationally and continually raising the bar in Australian winemaking, with an ever-evolving portfolio that now includes craft beer.
MEET DARREN
Imagine going from making people’s feet feel good to making their tastebuds dance—this is exactly what Darren Stewart did when he traded podiatry for distilling at Cauldron Distillery.
Darren Stewart’s path wasn’t always paved with botanicals and stills. In fact, his first love was podiatry. For years, he worked in this field, helping people feel better from the ground up. But there was always a deeper calling, something beyond foot care.
However, the thrill of creation was something Darren couldn’t ignore. What started as a hobby quickly evolved into a full-blown passion. And in 2020, the seeds for Cauldron Distillery were sown with the creation of their first gin—Mountain Gin.
Teaming up with two other visionary founders, Greg and Glen, Darren set out to craft something truly special, something that celebrated their beloved Queensland. In no time, their signature Mountain Gin became a local favourite, followed by the Sunset Gin and Coastal Gin.
But making exceptional spirits requires more than just passion—it requires the right place. In 2021, Darren and his co-founders found their perfect match: an 18-acre property on the scenic Tamborine Mountain. And with it came the dream of building a distillery that would blend seamlessly into the stunning surroundings.
Since opening their doors in May of 2021, Cauldron Distillery has flourished. What started as a humble range of three gins has expanded to five gins, two liqueurs, vodka, vermouth, and so much more. It’s clear that Darren’s love for creating has turned into an ongoing journey—one that keeps pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of spirits
Today, Darren Stewart is more than just the Head Distiller of Cauldron Distillery. He’s a passionate creator, always looking for new ways to bring Queensland’s spirit to the world. Whether you’re sipping one of their signature gins or tasting one of their other unique spirits, you’re getting a taste of Darren’s journey - a journey that has just begun.
ORDER A BOTTLE OF OUR AWARD WINNING VERMOUTH HERE