SIMPLY THE ZEST

DRINK: LOCK 4 DISTILLERY

WORDS Em Worthington

It’s rare for a sequel to be as good as the original, but Salena Estate’s part two knocks it out of the park!

Say ciao to Lock 4 Distillery — the newest venture for the beautiful Franchitto family behind the award-winning Salena Estate and Cucina 837 in the Riverland. Using award-winning grapes from their stunning vineyard and hand-peeled local fruit, their range of zesty cellos, gins and vodkas will make you fall in love all over again with everything this abundant region has to offer. Owners Bob and Sylvia Franchitto have got a real knack for mixing iconic Riverland flavours and thinking outside the square, which is why their truly unique products will take your breath away.

Pull up a pew and let’s spring in… “THIS RANGE IS SO EXCITING BECAUSE YOU CAN REALLY TASTE WHAT OUR HOME IN THE RIVERLAND IS ALL ABOUT WITH EACH ONE.”

Cello, sunshine! The Lock 4 line-up of cellos is like sunshine in a bottle — think lemon, lime, orange, mandarin and citrus concoctions that can be enjoyed neat and ice-cold, to spice up a cocktail or even on top of ice cream! Traditionally sipped on as an aperitif before a meal or as a digestif to cleanse your palate, a chilled limoncello has long been part of the Salena Estate offering and a nod to the family’s Italian heritage. It’s only natural that Bob decided to mix it up with a whole range of new flavours that are all distilled on-site.

“This range is so exciting because you can really taste what our home in the Riverland is all about with each one,” says Marketing Manager, Salena Muirden. “The mandarin and orange cellos are so fruit driven, they taste like you’re biting into a fresh piece of mandarin or segment of orange; and the lime cello adds another delicious dimension to a tart! You can mix them into desserts, cocktails, slushies, over ice cream… once you start experimenting, you’ll see just how versatile they are!”

DRINK: LOCK 4 DISTILLERY

Super neat! Lock 4’s crystal clear triple distilled vodka is the top-of-the-line vodka and is perfectly enjoyed straight, over ice, or in your fave cocktail. It’s soft and smooth from beginning to end with slightly fruity and caramel teasers.

Bob may be tinkering away but he’s certainly doing it well, with the Loxton Dry Gin already winning silver at the Tasting Australia Spirit Awards. It’s crafted from 10 Riverland botanicals, which give you bursts of lemon and orange citrus as well as coriander, cardamom and cinnamon flavours, plus a little floral note from the Elderflower.

When you really want to bring out the big guns, Lock 4’s Navy Strength Gin has a unique soft sweetness to it, with concentrated aromatics of classic juniper and bright citrus flavours. It’s a more concentrated version of the dry gin, plus it has a few other botanicals to give a lift and punch… but they’re top secret and will remain under wraps… can’t give it all away!

And finally, not one for the faint-hearted, the Chilli Vodka will have your tastebuds doing a little dance long after it passes your lips. “Being Italian, we add spice to everything and this baby’s made using chillies grown from Dad’s garden. It gives a good kick without being too intense or burning — it’s more of a tingling that softens and dissipates. It’s perfect with bitter lemonade, and it’s super refreshing as opposed to being hot,” Salena says. Plus, this baby just took out gold at the International Spirit Challenge, so you know it’s a winner.

Of course, a little Riverland adventure gives you the opportunity to soak up some of the Franchitto family’s legendary hospitality. You can check out this delightful new range of spirits and liqueurs in-house, in cocktails or sample and take them home. Or, to bring the thrills straight to you, jump online and order away! Salut!

@lock4distillery lock4distillery.com.au

DRINK: VIOLET 7

WORDS Em Worthington

A low-alcohol PURPLE wine? Well, that’s a horse of a different colour!

We’re loving the option to take things easier without missing out, and our jaws dropped when we found this incredibly unique purple wine, Violet 7, from the crew at Orchid Wines Estate. Proudly made right here in SA, this pretty little lady is perfect for an exciting pressie or bringing a pop of colour to your girls' catch-up, and she tastes like a summer breeze!

First up, though, we had questions. How the heck do they make it purple? Well, Violet 7 is white wine infused with organic, plant-based botanicals, which creates this incredible violet colour and beautiful aroma. It’s best served chilled, is especially tasty frozen and pairs perfectly with a charcuterie board and your favourite tunes. For an extra bit of pizzazz, the label even changes colour if you freeze it... it's like a hypercolour t-shirt for adults!

For all our mamas-to-be, non-drinkers or the sober-curious, Violet 7 even has a zeroalcohol sister — say hello to Violet 0! With all the same flavour and the same vibrant purple hue, Violet 0 is perfect if you’re keen to celebrate without that fuzzy feeling.

TASTE SENSATION A cool glass of Violet 7 tastes like jasmine flowers and a dash of lime with a refreshing combo of grapefruit, white peach and subtle vanilla aromas. And whether you’re drinking the low alcohol or zero version, it goes particularly well with spicy Asian dishes or succulent seafood. We’re keen to platter up some fresh oysters, crab and salmon… yum!

SHAKE A TAIL FEATHER If you’re keen to get mixing or take Violet 7 or Violet 0 for a test drive, we’ve got the perfect little bonus for you. Use the code adeladyviolet7 for 20 percent off all online orders before 31 July 2022.

Here’s to a prettier way to drink… chin, chin!

IT’S LIKE A HYPERCOLOUR T-SHIRT FOR ADULTS!

@violet7wine

violet7.com.au SHAKE IT UP On par with watching a vibrant sunset, we love finding a cheeky new recipe for an afternoon of cocktails as the sun goes down. Get your crew together and try this gorgeously refreshing idea…

Violet martini 30ml lime gin 150ml Elderflower tonic 100ml Violet 7 A squeeze of lime Lots of ice

• Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker, then shake until icy. • Strain into a chilled martini glass. • Serve with a dash of lavender extract and garnish with lavender.

Violet Rain cocktail 45ml Empress Gin 45ml grapefruit juice 100ml Violet 7 30ml Elderflower liqueur

• Place the Empress Gin, grapefruit juice and Elderflower liqueur in a cocktail shaker with ice. Cap and shake for 30 seconds. • Using a strainer, pour the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass, then add the Violet 7 wine. • Garnish with organic, edible flowers or grapefruit peel.