Filipino-Australian entrepreneur Siggy Bacani seeks to bring the best of both worlds together by launching 7000 Islands, a cross-cultural business venture that imports Filipino liqueurs and spirits to Australia while exporting small-batch Aussie wines to the Philippines.
Making its debut this month, the first shipment of hand-crafted Ube Cream liqueurs arrived in the company’s warehouse in Sydney directly from regional provinces in the Philippines.
The liqueurs and a range of Filipino spirits will progressively become available in selected bars, restaurants and specialist outlets across Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.
On the other hand, 7000 Islands will also distribute select white and red wines from Victoria’s Yarra Valley and varietals in SA and NSW.
Bacani was born in the Philippines and moved to Australia with his family in the late 1980s; he considers himself “at home” in both. Previously, he worked as a marketing manager for Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands in the UK and for Moët Hennessy in Australia.
“These are exciting times,” he remarked. “Our vision is to harvest and export superb local wines from around Australia that perfectly harmonise with the tropical gastronomy of the Philippines while providing Australian drinkers with the chance to explore some of the unique taste profiles of popular Filipino liqueurs and spirits.”
Initially, the 7000 Islands brand will have approximately 20 products available ranging from wines selected from the 65 wine-growing regions of Australia to liqueurs and spirits produced by distillers from the 82 provinces of the Philippines.
“All our Philippine-based drinks are sourced from natural Filipino ingredients such as Ube and sugar cane,” Bacani continued.
“For example, Proclamation Gin is made from handpicked Sampaguita flowers responsibly sourced from female farmers in Pampanga.
“Meanwhile, the vivid purple yam known as Ube is already popular in Australia and can now be found in many products, including Filipino pastries, cakes and ice creams.”
The imported Filipino craft spirits will be available in premium restaurants and bars, including the three-hat restaurant Oncore by Clare Symth in Crown Sydney; Ni Hao Bar & Dining in Sydney’s Civic Hotel, modern Vietnamese restaurant and bar Saigon Hustle in Sydney’s Smithfield, multi-award winning Serai restaurant in Melbourne and Hygge Bar in Perth.
“We are passionate about bringing the best of these two worlds together with a selection of small-batch wines and craft spirits that reflect the unmistakable flavours and traditions of Australia and the Philippines,” Bacani concluded.