Cam Mackenzie of Four Pillars Distillery on Growing from a Yarra Shed to Global Gin Fame: 3x Intl Gin Producer of the Year, Hall of Fame, & Building a Fun, Innovative Aussie Brand with Award-Winning Spirits. (Episode 5 - Cam Mackenzie)
In this episode of The Distillers Institute Podcast, host Anne Gigney interviews In this episode of The Distillers Institute Podcast, host Anne Gigney interviews Cam Mackenzie, co-founder of Four Pillars Distillery. Cam reveals how he turned a bold idea into Australia’s most awarded gin brand, taking Four Pillars from a small Yarra Valley startup to a global sensation crowned International Gin Producer of the Year three times. He shares insider stories of innovative creations like Bloody Shiraz Gin, landing a major partnership with Lion, and building a team and culture that fueled rapid growth. Packed with business wisdom, laughs, and the inspiring journey of turning passion into world-class success, this episode is a must-listen for anyone dreaming big. A glimpse into the questions Anne posed to Cam Mackenzie: How did Four Pillars come to be? What was that initial conversation like between you and your co-founders? According to Cam, Four Pillars began almost by accident. After years in the wine industry, he was craving something hands-on and entrepreneurial. Catching up over gin and tonics with his friend Stu, they first toyed with starting a tonic water brand — but Cam wanted to be back on the tools, not behind a desk. Gin felt like the right fit. They brought in Matt Jones, a brand strategist, to help shape a proper business plan. What began as casual chats turned into a serious plan to create a premium, innovative Australian gin brand. In 2013, after plenty of planning (and Cam overcoming the fear of quitting his job with a mortgage and three daughters), Four Pillars officially launched, grounded in a partnership built on trust, complementary skills, and a shared vision. What did the actual split of roles look like on the ground once you all got started? Cam shares that the split was surprisingly natural. Cam ran production in the Yarra, while Stu and Matt, based in Sydney, handled brand, marketing, PR and strategy. They trusted each other fully and had a rule that no decision could be two against one—it had to be unanimous. That kept the partnership strong and aligned for a decade. How did you know how much investment you needed, and how did you manage that big jump to your bigger vision in the Yarra Valley? According to Cam, they didn’t truly know how much investment they needed—he says they did rough forecasts that looked like a bloodbath for the first few years, then wisely doubled the figure. They raised funds early from friends and family, their “ginvestors,” which gave them enough to pay themselves, design a bespoke bottle, and build a strong brand foundation. When the ideal site in Healesville came up, they made the bold move to buy it using their own super funds, putting “all chips in,” which Cam admits was terrifying. But having supportive, hands-off investors allowed them to confidently scale up to their bigger Yarra Valley vision without compromising quality or the brand’s identity. Why was innovation — like Bloody Shiraz Gin — so important, and what did it bring to the brand? Cam shares that innovation was at the heart of Four Pillars from day one. Gin had been boring for decades, so they were determined to shake it up. Bloody Shiraz Gin began almost accidentally when he soaked Yarra Valley Shiraz in their gin, creating a category-defining product that drove massive growth and showed customers and bartenders they could trust Four Pillars to surprise them. So the big elephant in the room—your sale to Lion. How did that come about, and why was that the right move? According to Cam, as Four Pillars grew, they faced a choice: cap their growth and just enjoy being a profitable business, or chase the original dream of building a truly global Australian brand. Lion offered a partnership that respected their culture and let them keep their early investors onboard. It ultimately gave them the scale, security, and resources to expand internationally. What’s been your biggest challenge over the last 10 years, and what are you most proud of? Cam shares that the biggest challenge over the last decade was keeping up with rapid growth while staying true to their quality and values, plus maintaining strong communication across the business and between the founding partners. What he’s most proud of isn’t the gin or even the global awards—it’s the team and culture they built at Four Pillars. Cam likens it to “Hawthorn in the ‘80s,” a powerhouse group of people who genuinely cared, stayed for years, and grew alongside the company. Seeing talented people thrive—like their first part-time finance hire who is now director of operations for Lion’s spirits portfolio—gives him the greatest satisfaction. Any parting advice for people wanting to enter this industry or start their own distillery? According to Cam, the best thing you can do is pick up the phone and talk to people—not just those who’ve succeeded, but also those who’ve stumbled. He says be ready to have your ideas challenged and interrogated, and actually ask people, “What’s wrong with my idea?” rather than just hoping for praise. Cam compares it to having a good coach: they give tough feedback not because they dislike you, but because they know you (and your business) can be better. Ultimately, he encourages aspiring distillers to do the research, seek honest feedback, and not let anyone completely put them off if they believe in what they’re building. Quotable quotes from our special The Distillers Institute podcast guest: Build the kind of business you’d actually love to work in—that’s the real secret — Cam Mackenzie If you’ve got a big idea, let people tear it apart; if it survives, it’s probably worth doing — Cam Mackenzie We didn’t fit in anywhere, and that turned out to be our biggest advantage — Cam Mackenzie Surround yourself with people smarter and kinder than you—it makes the ride a hell of a lot more fun — Cam Mackenzie Sometimes the best strategy is to stop aiming and just fire; you’ll figure it out on the run — Cam Mackenzie
New Zealand