Spirit on the Murray: A new craft spirits festival for Echuca Moama

Craft spirits. Local makers. And one very good reason to head to Echuca Moama this September.

Forget your usual winery weekend. Spirit on the Murray is a two-day festival packed with tastings, regional producers and more than 100 craft spirits from some of Victoria’s best distilleries.

Set in the heart of the Port precinct and backed by the team at Echuca Distillery, it’s shaping up to be one of the region’s most distinctive weekends, perfect for curious visitors who want to sip, explore and discover something new.

Not your average craft spirits festival

Echuca Distillery is a family affair with Peter De Vries as head distiller and twin brother Dave Jr in charge of operations

There’s no shortage of food and drink events across Victoria, but this one hits different. Spirit on the Murray is the kind of festival that invites you to slow down and chat to the people behind your new favourite pours.

Australia’s distilling scene is booming. It’s grown from 80 distilleries in 2019 to more than 800 today and Spirit on the Murray celebrates what that growth means for regional towns.

Founder of Echuca Distillery and festival organiser David De Vries sees it as a chance to shine a light on the local makers who are putting Victoria on the global spirits map.

“Victoria is home to around 120 distilleries, many in rural towns like ours and employing thousands of people. This event is about celebrating the creativity and science of distilling as well as growing the visibility of our industry and region.”

What’s happening across the weekend

Say cheers to regional Victoria at Spirit on the Murray in Echuca Moama this September

Saturday is all about flavour and discovery. Choose from two 18+ ticketed tasting sessions, with spirit samples, roaming canapés, a take-home tasting cup and tote and the chance to chat to distillers from across the state. From whisky and gin to agave, rakia and more, you’ll try things you won’t find on most bottle-shop shelves.

Keen to get nerdy about how it’s made? Don’t miss the Saturday morning masterclass. It’s a panel featuring leaders from Bass & Flinders, JimmyRum and Backwoods Distilling, moderated by Shane Byrne. You’ll hear their take on the future of Australian spirits and the stories behind the stills.

Then, on Sunday, a different kind of energy. Entry is free and all ages are welcome as the focus shifts to regional produce and genuine connection.

Local distillers will be joined by food and drink producers from Echuca Moama and surrounds. It’s a chance to experience the region through its makers with plenty of space to taste, browse and ask questions. Come for a taste, stay for the chats and pick up a bottle or two while you’re at it.

A regional story worth sharing

A selection of ingredients David uses to craft flavours at the Echuca Distillery

From the start, Echuca Distillery was designed to do more than make good gin. Built with visitors in mind, it’s now one of the Port’s most popular stops. Their motto “drink less, enjoy more” underpins everything they do, from small-batch releases to unexpected collabs like their new Perricoota Shiraz Gin.

That mindset flows into the festival, too. “We’re not trying to go massive,” says David. “We’re focused on quality, creativity and celebrating what makes regional distilling so special.”

Every distillery involved is either based in Victoria or along the Murray River. And that’s no coincidence.

“Buy local doesn’t just mean your town. It means your region, your state, your country. Supporting the people behind these spirits means supporting rural jobs, innovation and community.”

Just the beginning

Taste unique flavour combinations with gin, agave and rakia at Spirit on the Murray in Echuca Moama

This year’s Spirit on the Murray is just the beginning, or “dipping a toe in the water”, as David puts it. But the vision goes further. If the first outing gets the support it deserves, there’s every chance it’ll become a regular fixture on the spring calendar.

Whether you’re a seasoned spirits drinker or just up for trying something new, this is the kind of weekend that blends good spirits with great stories. And if you're already planning a weekend away soon, make it this one.

Make a weekend of it

There’s more to explore in Echuca Moama including the Port precinct

Early spring suits Echuca Moama. The mornings are still cool, the light lingers longer and the town’s just busy enough to feel like something’s happening without the summer crowds.

Spirit on the Murray gives you a reason to come, but the rest of the weekend is yours to shape.  

Book a stay somewhere with a fire or a claw-foot bath. Take a paddlesteamer cruise before lunch. Grab a table at Junction or a seat by the fire at The Mill. Wander the Port precinct without a plan and ease into the kind of afternoon that doesn’t need a booking.

Plan your visit

Peter and Dave Jr welcome you to Echuca Moama for Spirit on the Murray

If you’re looking for standout Echuca events, Spirit on the Murray is one to lock in early. It runs on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September 2025. Lock in a tasting session on Saturday, swing by Sunday’s free-entry market or come for both and stay a little longer.