Covid was responsible for some pretty strange hobbies (focaccia, anyone?). For Sean Tuite, who was working as a lawyer in Brisbane during the thick of the pandemic, it was the catalyst for learning to use the still he had inherited from his late grandfather. After plenty of trial runs, Sean had formulated a recipe for a vodka that didn’t taste like hangover and regret. Realising he could be onto something, Sean recruited two mates – Dan Carruthers and former NRL legend Chris Walker – and Sunny Days Distillery was born. The trio were so confident in their premium small-batch vodka, they assembled a team of shareholders who believed in their vision for a Burleigh-born distiller that had the capacity to change the way people perceive premium Australian vodka. Among the esteemed group was Theodore Vairaktaris (Usher Group), Michael Tassis (restauranteur, Tassis Group), Michael Searle, who started Gold Coast Titans, former NRL player Nate Myles and NRL coach Dan Ferris.

Fast forward a few years and Sunny Days now has three brands under its umbrella – Ariane, a top-shelf premium Australian vodka, the spirited and lively Pink Dot, and its flagship brand Sunny Days, which brings a little bit of Palm Springs to the Gold Coast with full-flavoured ready-to-drink cans in fun flavours such as fruit tingle, musk stick and grape candy. The brand has become so popular they outgrew their original home in Burleigh Heads and made the move to an 1100-sqm space along Hutchinson Street. The new HQ, which is in the throes of construction, is set to feature a full taproom and tasting room, where thirsty patrons will be able to try new flavours before they make it to the shelves, alongside increased capacity for production. The team have big plans including bands, DJs, food trucks and Sunday sessions. Suffice to say, we’re excited! Sunny Days Distillery is aiming for a June 2024 opening.

We will bring you all of the delicious details as they come to light, but in the interim, follow the progress on Instagram.