The Coonawarra region is recognised for award-winning wines but it is also gaining a reputation for award-winning spirits.

St Mary’s Wines received a gold medal for its Mulligan’s Spiced Cane Spirit at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards in Melbourne, held in conjunction with the Royal Melbourne Show.

St Mary’s Winemaker Ian Mulligan described the Spiced Cane Spirit as ‘Christmas in a glass.’

“It’s got a lot of the Christmas spices in it,” he said.

“It’s got nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, all those lovely things that you associate with Christmas pudding and Christmas time.”

Mr Mulligan said the spirit was a good substitute for sweet sherry or brandy used in Christmas cooking, such as pudding or trifle.

St Mary’s Spirits has had a successful year, also winning awards for their London Dry Gin and White Cane Spirit.

“It is nice to get that recognition, but it’s nice to actually get it across a broader part of your range of spirits rather than just for one, so it means we’re doing something good in all of our spirits,” Mr Mulligan said.

“It’s nice to know you’re making a good product and your peers out there are thinking it is as well.”

Mr Mulligan said they were lucky to receive the gold medal as there were lots of entries.

“It’s been a lucky couple of months that’s for sure,” he said.

“You always try to do the best you can and it’s nice to get some recognition for it, it’s great.”

Distilled at their family owned and operated St Mary’s Vineyard in Penola, Mr Mulligan said making the spirits was a team effort with his brother Robin, mother and father all involved in the process.

St Mary’s Spiced Cane Spirit is available at venues throughout the Limestone Coast and selected outlets in Adelaide.