Starward Whisky has returned to full Australian ownership, with founder David Vitale acquiring the brand and ending its decade-long involvement with Diageo’s Distill Ventures program.
Founded in 2007, Starward has grown from an urban distilling experiment into an internationally awarded distillery, recognised globally for its red wine barrel maturation, modern Australian style and accessible core range.
Diageo first invested in Starward in 2015 through its accelerator, supporting the brand’s growth into one of Australia’s leading whisky producers. The exit follows Diageo’s decision in early 2025 to scale back Distill Ventures.
“It’s been more than ten years since I last led Starward,” said Vitale.
“With the considerable volume of work done in that time by a deeply dedicated team, this feels like a rare opportunity to scale what we know works, in a category that’s only just getting started. I feel incredibly lucky to be doing that with the best brand, the best people, and the best years still ahead of us.”
With the buyout complete, Starward now moves forward under founder-led ownership as Australian whisky continues to gain global attention.
