Meet the founders - Matt Gardiner
This is Matt Gardiner...
Matt grew up in Melbourne, and has lived in Perth since 2014. Prior to that Matt spent 3 years in Canberra completing a degree in Aviation, learnt to fly in Tamworth and Perth, then settled on a career in Air Traffic Control where he's currently based at the Perth Airport. Matt is the link between the three owners, knowing both for a collective 31 years, meeting Dean at Primary School age 5 and Matt A through Uni friends at age 24. The two Matt's even lived together from 2015 to 2019 (RIP PB Mansion)
Matt has a keen passion for the finer things in life, be it a nice bottle of Italian wine you've never heard of, a new dish Matt and his partner Bae (Belinda) are cooking up or some new idea about what type of flavour profiles we should be playing with, the culinary world really is Matt's oyster. Thankfully Matt is now the proud part owner of Haiver and the distillery really is his playground when it comes to experimenting with new and interesting flavours. Matt and Dean feed off each other in this space, sometimes to the dismay of Matt A's anal-retentive nature for record keeping.
Outside of Matt's palate living the good life his hobbies include cycling, chess, indoor plants, swing dancing, music (can play sax/10), catching up with friends and spending time with Bae.
Matt's role at the distillery is predominantly production but also marketing and packaging.
We asked him a few questions to find out who he really is...
What's your favourite part about running Haiver?
The creative process of making new drinks and seeing them turn out as something delicious that's all your own. It can also be the hardest part when it doesn't go well though!
What's your favourite Haiver drink/cocktail/product?
Modern Classic Gin Martini.
- Modern Classic Gin,
- Dolin Dry Vermouth, and
- a drop or two of olive oil. Savoury and delicious!
What's your favourite non-Haiver drink/cocktail/product?
Red wine. I'd drink it instead of water if I could! I had my first Barolo for my 29th birthday and haven't found anything quite like it ever since. Outside of that I've always gotta have a quick-draw Chouette Suzy Rouge in the fridge.
If your pet could talk what's the first thing they'd say about you?
I don't have a pet, phew! But it'd probably be "not another goddam house plant!?"
If you could choose one song to have played every time you walked into a room what would it be?
I Like It Like That - Pete Rodriguez. It puts a smile on my face every time! Plus hard to not dance to.
What's the most expensive thing you've ever broken?
The rotovap. That thing is delicate, especially the glassware!
What would you do if you found a penguin in the freezer?
Throw him a shucka and ask if he can pass me a zooper dooper.
