St Agnes Distillery History – 100 Years of Australian Spirit Mastery

The story of St Agnes Distillery begins in 1910. That year, Dr William Angove’s son, Carl Angove, travelled to Renmark in South Australia’s Riverland. His goal was to establish the region’s first winery and distillery. Carl planned to use the Riverland’s abundant table grapes to distil a clean spirit. This spirit was originally intended for the fortified wines popular at the time. That early vision would later become the foundation of St Agnes Distillery.

In 1922, a young Harry Ronald “Ron” Haselgrove travelled to Montpellier Agricultural College. He then expanded his expertise in Bordeaux and Cognac, learning from some of the world’s finest brandy producers. When Ron returned in 1925, Carl invited him to join the St Agnes Distillery team. Their combined expertise in distillation, oak maturation and blending led to the creation of St Agnes Brandy. This elegant Australian style would go on to define the category.

For more than 100 years, only six Master Distillers have guided the house style. Each generation has carefully passed its knowledge to the next. This continuity has helped make St Agnes Australia’s most highly awarded brandy producer, including three world’s best brandy titles. The original H. Jennings copper pot stills, installed in 1910, are still used today. Every drop of St Agnes Brandy has been crafted through these stills. They remain central to the spirit’s unmistakable signature and style.

In 2025 the St Agnes distillery proudly celebrated 100 Years of Distillation with the release of two iconic spirits the St Agnes XXO 50 Year Old Exceptional Reserve and the St Agnes XO 30 Year Old Centenary Reserve Single Cask, Cask Strength and special limited releases.

Beyond Brandy – A House of Australian Spirits

St Agnes Distillery now crafts more than its iconic brandy range.

In 2014, the distillery launched Blind Tiger Organic Gin. Made with premium organic botanicals, it quickly earned international acclaim with Gold in Hong Kong.

In 2016, the distillery laid down its first whisky spirit. This release became Camborne Single Malt Whisky, named in honour of Dr WT Angove’s birthplace. It matures patiently in tawny, sherry, brandy and premium red wine casks.

Today the collection includes:

VS and VSOP Australian Brandy

XO 15, 20, 30, 40 and 50 Year Old releases

Rare single cask and cask strength bottlings

Blind Tiger Organic Gin

Camborne Single Malt Whisky

This breadth makes St Agnes one of Australia’s most complete luxury spirits houses.