Tasting the Soul of the Region: Our Hazelnut Liqueur Story
It started with a walk.
Not just any walk—but one of those golden, late afternoon rambles through the wiggly hazelnut orchard in the hills near Batlow. There, among the dappled light and soft rustle of leaves, we met Bindi and Craig—stewards of something truly special.
Their farm "Happy Wombat Hazelnuts" is more than just an orchard, it’s a living, breathing showcase of the act of nurture of nature. Alongside their big-hearted dogs (yes, that Bessie—Insta-star, orchard queen, and full-time entertainer), Bindi and Craig have created a place where the land is deeply loved. Here, rows of hazelnuts thrive in rich mountain basalt soil, destined for the finest restaurants in the state. But even more importantly, the farm is a refuge: for shy greater gliders, proud lyrebirds, and bumbling wombats who amble beneath the orchard trees.
Photo Credit: Bottle & Brush Studio
We wandered under the hazel canopy with our teenage daughters, who soon had their hands wrapped around wooden nut rollers and bright buckets, gleefully scouring the orchard floor for the perfect fallen treasures. Bindi guided us with a quiet wisdom—handing us raspberries still warm from the sun, letting us crawl beneath netting and emerge laughing, with juice-stained fingers and huge lavender bunches clutched in our arms.
We were privileged to have been shown this side of nut growing and have met such generous farmers. We left with arms full of flowers, full tummies and full hearts, and the overwhelming desire to bottle the wonder of that experience.
So we did.
Our Hazelnut Liqueur is the soul of that hillside afternoon: rich, golden, and laced with sweet nostalgia. We wanted it to be decadent, yes—but more than that, we wanted it to taste real. Fresh, earthy, nutty, and just a little bit wild—like a whisper from the trees and a kiss from the soil. Our liqueur is more about the nut and less about the sugar.
Every sip carries the generosity of the Craig and Bindi, the charm of Bessie, and the quiet magic of a region where everything is grown with care and a deep respect for the land.
Come taste a story. Come taste the soul of the Snowy Valleys.
🌿🥃 Hazelnut Liqueur — Now available at our cellar door and online.
And courtesy of Bindi - here is a photo of Bess in her element.
