South Australia’s spirits scene has entered new territory, with Hidden Trove Distilling unveiling what is believed to be the state’s first locally produced agave tequilana spirit as part of a new limited “bar only” release.
The small-batch distillery has launched its Acre 96 range, featuring Hibiscus Gin alongside two experimental agave spirits made from locally grown piñas, marking a significant step toward establishing a future agave industry in South Australia.
At the centre of the release is the Agave Tequilana, distilled in September 2025, alongside Agave Americana, distilled in September 2024. Both expressions were developed after years of cultivation trials and research, with the tequilana variety carrying a particularly unusual journey — originally grown in South Australia before being planted in Carnarvon, Western Australia’s sub-tropics, and later harvested for distillation.
The result is a spirit Hidden Trove claims is “arguably SA’s first Agave Piña spirit made from the Tequilana or Blue Weber variety.”
Behind the release is a long-term agricultural experiment rather than a single product launch. Hidden Trove has partnered with the Australian Agave Association, Goodfellow Agave nursery and the University of Adelaide to explore whether agave could become a viable commercial crop in South Australia, with trials, workshops and engagement with local grapegrowers forming part of the process.
Chris Dix, Distiller at Hidden Trove Distilling, says the project represents a broader shift for the state’s primary industries.
“This is more than just a new spirit; it’s the beginning of a new agricultural chapter for South Australia,” he said.
“We have invested years into understanding the plant, from planting 400 agave at Langhorne Creek—a five to seven-year wait for harvest—to mastering the complex process of harvest, cooking, crushing, fermentation, and distillation right here at our distillery. The limited release of our Agave Americana and Tequilana spirits is a tangible result of that vision, proving that world-class agave spirits can be born from South Australian soil.”
Due to the limited harvest, the spirits won’t be available for retail purchase. Instead, they’re being poured exclusively at a small group of tequila and mezcal-focused venues, including BAR BAR on Pirie Street, Burdette on Union Street, Nineteen Ten on Hindley Street and Mia Margarita at Henley Beach, with regional partners expected to follow.
The “bar only” approach is designed to introduce the new category through industry experts and build awareness among adventurous drinkers, while Hidden Trove continues to refine cultivation and production methods.
Founded in 2021 by chef and distiller Mel Haynes and later joined by winemaker and distiller Chris Dix, the distillery has built its reputation on experimentation and agricultural collaboration. With agave crops requiring years before harvest, the Acre 96 release represents both a milestone and a starting point — a proof of concept for what could become a new locally grown spirit category shaped by South Australian conditions.
For the state’s craft distilling scene, it signals a shift beyond grapes and grains, and into a future where agave may play a role in both regional agriculture and premium spirit production.
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