By Jacqui Bialocki
With more than 30 years of wine industry experience between them, Jason and Andy Quin know a thing or two about crafting exceptional drinks. But in Jason’s case, that led to an unhealthy reliance on alcohol to manage life’s pressures. When he made the decision to stop drinking altogether, Andy’s unwavering support and a life-changing wellness walk led to a new path, and the idea for Etch Sparkling was born.
Once Jason gave up drinking and Andy joined him, they quickly discovered how limited the choices were for people seeking a sophisticated, alcohol-free beverage, especially one without excess sugar or loaded to the hilt with preservatives. They felt that everyone should be able to feel part of the party regardless of whether they drank alcohol.
Then Jason’s dad organised a healing walk with cultural educator and healer Lionel Lauch, whose Native Supermarket experience – a guided walk and cultural talk on native bush tucker and medicinal plants – opened Jason’s eyes to the richness of native Australian ingredients growing all around him. It was the moment that reconnected him to the land and sparked an idea: what if winemaking skills could be reimagined through native flavours?
Months of experimentation followed as Jason and Andy explored native fruits and herbs from across Australia. The result was Etch – Every Time Choose Health – a range of six sparkling drinks crafted with native Australian ingredients all naturally sourced from Arnhem Land to the Sunshine Coast and Byron Bay’s hinterland, and carefully balanced to create refreshing, aromatic, and sugar-free sparkling beverages. Each one celebrates the diversity of the land, offering delicate yet vibrant flavours perfect for any occasion.
Inclusion is at the heart of Etch. Whether someone chooses to moderate or go alcohol-free, Etch ensures no one misses out on the ritual of raising a glass. Enjoyed solo, with a meal, or as part of a festive toast, each sip invites connection and mindfulness. “The feedback has been incredible,” Andy said. “People tell us: ‘Your drinks have changed my life’. It’s so rewarding to see how our drinks can make such a difference.”
Born from a personal journey of transformation, Etch Sparkling is proof that health, connection and celebration can beautifully coexist, one glass at a time.
It’s more fun with fizz
For the festive season, Andy recommends serving Etch Sparkling in a wine glass to enhance the aromatics, and adding a garnish that complements the flavour:
- Add half a slice of grapefruit and a sprig of thyme to GFR (grapefruit and lemon aspen)
- Slip a slice of lemon into APL (bush apple and Kakadu plum)
- Drop a ribbon of cucumber into ZST (finger lime and lemon myrtle)
- Use edible flowers for a burst of colour in PLM (Davidson’s plum and strawberry gum)
- Pop two or three frozen or fresh raspberries into MTN (raspberry and mountain pepperberry)
- Add a sprig of rosemary and a slice of fresh orange to RNG (orange, quandong/wild peach)
