About Us
Our Mission
“We’re not just here to make great gin, though we do work pretty hard at that. We’re here because we believe good gin brings people together. It starts conversations, marks occasions, and turns an ordinary Tuesday into something worth remembering. Every bottle we make is crafted with care, obsessed over for flavour, and sent out into the world with one simple hope, that it ends up in good hands, shared with good people.
That’s what Hillmartin is for. That’s what it’s always been for.”
Amy & Gavin Shaw (founders)
It Started Over a Long Lunch
Dad had always dreamed of making wine. But in his 60s, he figured the timeline might have passed him by. Then his mate, let’s call him Big Gary – suggested spirits instead. With a degree in Applied Chemistry and a few wines under his belt, it suddenly all made sense.
Then Melbourne’s 2020 lockdown arrived. With time on their hands and a family shed at their disposal, Gavin and his daughter Amy started experimenting. From the very first distillation, they were hooked. What began as curiosity quickly became a shared obsession, and after their first batch of Orange Squeeze, they knew they had something worth sharing with more than just friends.
As a father-daughter duo, they bring different strengths to the table. Amy’s carefully balanced recipes. Gavin’s years of technical expertise. And occasionally, a bit of bickering which is usually when the best ideas are born.
Every bottle is a reflection of that story. Built on curiosity, collaboration, and connection.
It means a lot to share it with you.
Amy and Gavin
Our Values
Family
Liquid Expertise
We Care
Our Name
What does HM Gin/Hillmartin stand for ?
Hillmartin Distillery is named after the street where the magic happens and where our story began. Hillmartin is shortened to HM and that’s how you get HM Gin.
Fun fact: Who was the brains behind the name? Not Dad or I, it was my Mum Kim – naturally she came up with this over a gin.
Go Behind the Scenes
Commitment to continuous learning
With a background in Applied Science and a major in Applied Chemistry, our Head Distiller Gavin Shaw has a fascination experimenting with different Australian botanicals and production techniques to make a perfect range of Gins. We are meticulous in ensuring a consistent flavour by controlling the quality of botanicals, distillation process and final product checks. Both co-founders have completed WSET Level 2 and Gavin’s has completed WSET 3.
Gavin in October 2025 was one of the first in Australia to complete Certificate 4 in Artisan Fermented Products.
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At HM Gin we are committed to being at the forefront of gin development and new and better ways to make your favourite drink.
We are proud members of the Australian Distillers Association ad Victorian Spirits Association.
The Australian Distillers Association is the peak industry body for Australian distillers, and was founded in 2004. Our Association aims to:
- Nurture the union of Australian distillers by promoting industry activities which further strengthen the distillers community
- Create opportunities to share information through industry forums and workshops
- Promote the knowledge and science of distillation
- Support the introduction of an Australian Spirits competition
- Lobby and work with established government and non-government organisations who share similar goals and philosophies
- Encourage and invite allied industry and consumer enthusiasts to become involved with ADA activities and events
- Provide education on Australian distillers and their products
- Promote the responsible consumption of alcohol
Meet the team spreading the love of gin all across Australia, one sip at a time!
