Winemaker

Kristy Booth-Lark

Discipline: Winemaker
Based in: Richmond, Australia
Venue: Killara Distillery · Distillery

i. Biography

Kristy Booth-Lark’s work reads as accumulation in the practical sense: years in service, years on the floor, years learning the still house from the inside. Since 2016, she has been founder and owner of Killara Distillery in Richmond, Australia, bringing that experience into a distillery built on working knowledge rather than distance from the trade.

The Path

At Lark Distillery in Tasmania, Australia, the learning was hands-on and the roles were close to the customer as well as the production line. Kristy Booth-Lark served as cellar door manager until 2013, production manager until 2013, and general manager until 2013, moving through posts that gave her both the front-of-house view and a direct understanding of how the bottle gets made. That progression led to ownership. Since 2016, Booth-Lark has been founder and owner of Killara Distillery, a role that carries both authorship and responsibility: making the product, shaping the house, and keeping the operation aligned with the standards learned earlier in the trade.

The Work Today

At Killara Distillery, the work sits between established forms and a distinctly Australian register. Booth-Lark has described one gin as “A fairly juniper-driven gin with citrus and an Australian twist.” The line is plain, and that is the point: botanical structure first, with local character folded in rather than overlaid. For working distillers, that points to a sector moving from narrow access toward a broader field of entry.

Career - founder and owner — Killara Distillery, Tasmania, Australia (2016–present) - cellar door manager — Lark Distillery, Tasmania, Australia (until 2013) - production manager — Lark Distillery, Tasmania, Australia (until 2013) - general manager — Lark Distillery, Tasmania, Australia (until 2013)

Signature

Kristy's signature wines include Apothecary Gin, Killara Single Malt Whisky, Bush Liqueur, Apothecary Barrel Aged Elixir, and Hot Gin + Tonic. Together, they suggest a range that moves from the botanical to the barrel-aged, from the comforting to the contemporary, with each expression carrying a different facet of her distilling identity.

Acclaim

The line from Lark Distillery to Killara Distillery is straightforward: service, production, management, then ownership in Richmond. Booth-Lark has also said, “I think the industry as a whole can benefit from having more women involved.”

FAQ What is Kristy Booth-Lark's current role? As of 2026, Kristy Booth-Lark is Founder and Owner. Where did Kristy Booth-Lark work before? Kristy Booth-Lark's earlier career included Lark Distillery, Lark Distillery, and Lark Distillery. What recognition has Kristy Booth-Lark received? Tasting Australia Spirit Awards - distiller/producer of the year (2023).