James Reeves is the head distiller at Stag Lane Distillery in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. His journey into gin began in 2015 with a family love of flavour, a backyard lime tree and inspiration from Japan. Today, his spirits bring together botanical ingredients, creative experimentation and a family story that stretches back generations.
Written by Antonia Bauer – Digital Content Coordinator
For our Local Legends series, we spoke with James about the stories behind Stag Lane, the surprises of making gin and the simple moments he thinks every Yarra Valley visitor should experience.
How James Reeves began his journey into distilling
James’ introduction to distilling started close to home. His mum enjoyed gin, his family loved cooking, and a backyard lime tree was producing more fruit than they knew what to do with.
- In 2015, he began experimenting. Making spirits became another way to explore the flavours that already interested him in the kitchen.
“We’re a family that loves to cook, so creating spirits became another way of expressing our fascination with flavours.”
- His first gin used those backyard limes. Trips to Japan brought another source of inspiration, particularly through his discovery of yuzu. Its distinctive citrus flavour planted the idea of one day creating a yuzu gin of his own.
- For James, inspiration can come from a favourite food, a family celebration, an unfamiliar ingredient or a flavour discovered while travelling. The enjoyment lies in finding a way to capture that idea in a glass.
What is the story behind the name Stag Lane?
- Stag Lane takes its name from the property’s history as a deer farm. The former owners named a small road along its northern boundary “Stag Lane”, and the distillery adopted the name.
- A piece of that history remains on the property. The original deer shed is now a space for group bookings, giving the building a new purpose while keeping its connection to the past.
- Family history also runs through the Mary Monica spirit range, named after James’ great-great-grandmother. She worked as a publican in Prahran during the Great Depression and, from the stories passed down through the family, was quite a character.
- Asked who he would most like to share a drink with at Stag Lane, James chooses her. He would love to hear her stories over a glass from the range that carries her name.
What actually goes into making gin?
James describes gin distillation as a way of capturing flavour and aroma from the oils in botanicals. Alcohol helps extract those oils, while the distillation process shapes what makes it into the finished spirit.
- The challenge is balance. Each ingredient contributes something different, and understanding how those flavours behave together takes both knowledge and experimentation.
“It’s a fascinating combination of science and creativity: taking individual botanicals and working out how to capture their flavours in a balanced spirit.”
- Much of the work happens before distillation begins. James says preparing botanicals takes far longer than most customers imagine, particularly when the distillery grows some of its own ingredients.
- Growing, harvesting and preparing them all contribute to what eventually reaches the bottle. When you taste the finished gin, you are experiencing the result of a much longer process.
Why some experiments never reach the shelf
- Even a promising recipe can surprise an experienced distiller. James has created experimental gins that worked beautifully in small trials but behaved differently when made in larger batches.
- Some never reached the shelf. He sees those attempts as part of learning the craft, with unsuccessful experiments sometimes teaching him more than successful ones.
- Pandan leaf is one of his favourite ingredients to work with, thanks to its distinctive character and the possibilities it offers.
- Coffee beans are more challenging. The aromas you enjoy in a freshly brewed cup do not necessarily come through a still as expected. For James, they are a reminder that recognising a flavour is only the beginning of understanding how to distil it.
How to taste a spirit, according to James Reeves
- James Reeves recommends starting with a tiny drop and taking your time. This lets you explore the spirit’s character without overwhelming your palate.
“Start with the tiniest drop you can and allow it to coat your whole tongue without overwhelming your palate. Definitely don’t shoot it—you’ll miss everything the distiller has worked to create.”
Rather than trying to identify one obvious flavour, pay attention to how the spirit develops:
- Which flavours do you notice first?
- How do they balance one another?
- Does the flavour change as you taste?
- What stays with you through the finish?
His own favourite Stag Lane drink is a Rin Rin Old Fashioned. He enjoys its balance of sweetness and bitterness, with a strong citrus note running through it.
Finding inspiration in other Yarra Valley producers
- James also finds inspiration through working with other local makers. Stag Lane has collaborated with producers including Hargreaves Hill Brewery and Corniola Wines.
- He enjoys the different perspectives these partnerships bring. Another producer’s ideas can take a spirit in a direction he might not have explored on his own.
- For visitors, these stories add another layer to a tasting. Beyond what is in your glass, there are local relationships, shared ideas and experiments that helped bring it to life.
James Reeves’ advice for exploring the Yarra Valley
- When asked where he would send friends after visiting Stag Lane, James finds it difficult to narrow down his answer. There are too many people throughout the Valley making products and experiences he admires.
- His advice is to give yourself time. Stay for a few days if you can, explore widely and talk to the people you meet. In his view, you could spend a week in the region and still leave with more to discover.
- He also recommends making time for something simple: stopping at a lookout.
“You haven’t really experienced the Yarra Valley until you’ve… stopped at one of its lookouts and taken in the view.”
- The rolling pastures, gum-covered hills, vineyards and farms are part of what makes the Yarra Valley special to James. Between tastings and visits, take a moment to pause and appreciate the landscape around you.
Discover the people and flavours of the Yarra Valley
- James Reeves’ story offers another way to experience the Yarra Valley: through the ingredients, family histories and creative decisions behind what you taste.
- When you visit a local producer, leave room for a conversation. Ask how a drink began, which ingredient proved challenging or what the person pouring it enjoys themselves. Those small exchanges can become some of the most memorable parts of your day
Keen to discover these flavours for yourself? Our Yarra Valley Grazing Tour includes a stop at Stag Lane for gin tasting and pizza, alongside more of the region’s delicious local produce.
- Our Local Legends series introduces the people behind the places we visit, sharing their stories and recommendations to help you get to know Victoria a little better.
Frequently asked questions
Who is James Reeves?
- James Reeves is the head distiller at Stag Lane Distillery in the Yarra Valley. He began experimenting with distillation in 2015, inspired by his family’s love of cooking, backyard limes and flavours discovered on trips to Japan.
How did Stag Lane Distillery get its name?
- The property was previously a deer farm. Its former owners named a small road on the northern boundary “Stag Lane”, and the distillery adopted the name. The original deer shed is now used for group bookings.
What does James recommend when tasting spirits?
- James recommends starting with a tiny drop and taking your time. Notice how the flavours develop, how they balance and what remains through the finish, rather than drinking the spirit quickly.
What is James’ advice for visiting the Yarra Valley?
- Allow time to explore, speak with local producers and stop at a lookout to appreciate the landscape. James recommends staying for a few days if possible so you have time to discover more of the region.
