Starward is an Australian whisky distillery founded by David Vitale in 2007, based in an old airline hangar in the suburbs of Melbourne. The distillery set out with a clear ambition: to craft a modern Australian whisky that reflects the place it is made. In 2015, global spirits giant Diageo made a substantial financial investment in Starward through its Distill Ventures program, accelerating the brand's growth before Vitale later reacquired the brand and returned to the helm. Starward's defining characteristic is its use of red wine barrels for maturation, a nod to Australia's world-renowned wine culture. This approach gives Starward whisky a distinctly approachable and versatile style, balancing fruit-forward richness with accessibility. The distillery has built its philosophy around making whisky that speaks to Melbourne and its surroundings — neither overly exclusive nor compromising on quality. Starward has grown to become the fastest-growing whisky in Australia and has developed a cult following in both the UK and the US, sweeping global spirits awards along the way. It stands out as the only Australian distillery whose whisky has gained meaningful shelf space in the United States, proving that Australian whisky deserves a prominent place on the world stage.