Brothers Pat and Dan Schnelle travelled from Sydney to attend this year’s Whisky on the Murray extravaganza with their father Paul(centre) who lives in Corowa.
Pat and Dan Schnelle first heard the call of whisky through shared tasting with friends, and having grown up in Corowa they saw an opportunity last weekend to visit family while tasting the wares of more than 30 distilleries from around Australia.
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Whisky on the Murray, Corowa Distilling Co’s fourth iteration of the event, featured distillers from NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.
The event attracted more than 700 people through its doors, celebrating Australian whisky, food and music, and Pat already has his ear to the ground for return tickets in 2027.
“It was a good opportunity to taste a lot of different whiskeys that we don't normally get to ... everything from small craft producers to some of the more established names.,” Pat said.
“It gave us the chance to combine our passion for whisky with a trip home from Sydney to see family and friends.
“Dad is still in Corowa, so we did Parkrun on Saturday morning and then the three of us went to the whisky event in the afternoon.”
Pat’s favourite drop came from Tasmanian distiller Heartwood, located in North Hobart on the Derwent River.
Whisky on the Murray 2026 brought more than 700 people through its doors in a boon for the local economy, and next year they are hoping to take that beyond 1,000.
Corowa Distilling founder Dean Druce said what started as an idea to promote Australian whisky, with six distilleries three years ago, had become a major event with more than 30 exhibits, and others are wanting to replicate it around the country.
“We wanted to showcase other Australian distilleries,” Dean said.
“We thought as long as someone turns up, we'll have a bit of fun and catch up for dinner afterwards; but it's gotten that big we don't get any time to catch up anymore.”
There were 150 at the distiller’s dinner on Friday night, and about 700 people at Saturday’s event.
“About 90 per cent of those were from outside Corowa.
“It was great to see that many people in town and experiencing what this region has to offer,” Dean said.
“Next year, if we can grow that to 45 to 50 distilleries, hopefully we can grow our visitation to 1000 people.”
Murray River Cooperage provided an exciting exhibition of barrel coopering during the Saturday afternoon event under the watchful eye of master cooper, John Carberry (R).
Corowa Business Chamber chair Greg Ley said that events of this scale showed how significant a multiplier effect they were for local businesses and the local economy.
“This shows a lot of business savvy,” Mr Ley said.
“Bringing these kinds of events to fruition is becoming a hallmark of the region; it highlights the importance of Council’s need to invest into and support tourism.
“Events like Whisky on the Murray are something to celebrate and encourage more of.”
Local flavours represented at the event by Corowa Distilling Co, Morris of Rutherglen and Backwoods Distilling Co in Yackandandah, show there is more than just wine to the Federation and Indigo regions.
Herman’s drop
Herman Fransen was shocked and delighted to appear on the label of Corowa Distilling Co’s latest ‘Imprint’ series whisky, and says he helps out with the distillery gardens because he just loves growing things.
Herman Fransen doesn’t volunteer for recognition or accolades, but Corowa Distilling Co. has honoured the man at the heart of ‘Cans for Cancer’ anyway, making him the first of their Imprint series whisky.
For more than six years Herman has been instrumental in the development of the Cans for Cancer program with Corowa Lions Club, raising more than $100,000 for childhood cancer research.
Lions president Stuart Whisson said Herman was the initial planner of the program and, with the help of others, had grown it into a major fundraising activity.
“Herman works every Monday and does pick-ups every week,” Stuart said.
“He collects from back yards, businesses, sports events and hotels, then once a month we do runs from Corowa, Rutherglen and Wahgunyah to D&M Scrap Metal where they sort everything mechanically.
“When it started, Herman had to sort all of the cans and plastic from glass manually.”
Next week Herman celebrates his 81st birthday, and age hasn’t slowed him down.
As well as recycling to raise money for cancer research, Herman tends to the gardens at Corowa Whisky and Chocolate, growing fresh herbs and veggies for their café.
Last year they made him the first of their new ‘Imprint’ whisky series, which Dean Druce said was based around honoring those who have left a mark on the distillery.
“Herman is fantastic, he’s a local celebrity,” Dean said.
“He's one of those people we need to champion, because too often we hear the bad news that goes on in the world, and he certainly is a feel-good story.
“He keeps (the veggies and herbs) in check and deals closely with the kitchen.
“He just started turning up and we haven't gotten rid of him since; he’s part of the furniture.
“Everyone loves him even though he's not on our payroll.
“He comes to our Christmas parties, he goes to all our events, he dressed up as Santa a couple of years ago for a Christmas photo; he fits in and he's such a good human.”
Herman was humble about the experience, not being one to blow his own horn, and said at the time he didn’t know what was happening.
He was getting ready for his son’s wedding in Germany and a trip to his native Holland when the distillery organized a photo shoot, and they gave him the bottle when he got back.
“It was a bit of a shock,” Herman said.
“I started looking after the gardens there about six years ago because I like growing things, but I’m very particular; if they’re doing it wrong, I’ll tell them.
“I saw the empty cans and bottles they were throwing out; they said if I can collect them myself I can have them.
“I’d joined the Lions Club around the same time, and that’s how Cans for Cancer started.”
Dean said the next bottle in their Imprint series, honouring another local celebrity, will be released in the next couple of months.
