THE SOFI STORY
Inspired by Italy, Born in Bondi
2013: Founded in Bondi & Mudgee. Inspired by the Italian love for aperitivo, founder Tommy Maclean created SOFI to be the perfect all-natural spritz with less sugar and packaged for our Australian way of life.
Tommy travelled out to Mudgee to team up with 5th generation winemaker, Simon Gilbert. They carefully blended local grapes and other botanicals to create SOFI’s distinctive and refreshing taste.
From the Bondi Farmers Market (down the road from where Tommy was living that first summer) to the panel on Australia’s Shark Tank in 2016, SOFI’s early years were a wild ride.
SOFI x QANTAS SKY SPRITZ
SOFI in the SKY
2020: In the depths of the COVID crisis, SOFI was approached to create an exclusive signature spritz for QANTAS.
The Sky Spritz was an ode to Australian native botanicals, featuring Davidson Plum and Finger Lime, both of which hail from the subtropical rainforests of Queensland.
“SOFI was originally inspired by my travels around the world so it is really special to help QANTAS celebrate Australia’s return to international skies."
Tommy Maclean, SOFI Founder.
DAN MURPHY'S DECODED SPIRITS AWARDS
Best Aperitif in Australia
2023: SOFI was honoured to have been crowned Best Aperitif at the Decoded Spirit Awards by Dan Murphy's, Australia’s Largest Liquor Retailer.
Based on a blind tasting by a panel of 14 experts, SOFI won the title against the likes of Campari and other famous imports. Being the only Australian finalist in the category makes the win extra special. Tasting notes included being “some distance above the competition”.
SOFI x ALDI
Bellini and Amalfi take off
2024: after a successful trial in NSW, SOFI's take on the Bellini (White Peach & Ginger) went national across all ALDI stores (where liquor is sold). Based on another successful trial, SOFI Spritz Amalfi Lemon soon joined.
Both products have proved to be very popular with ALDI shoppers - a couple of our favourite recent reviews:
- "I travel from the GC to NSW for it!" and
- "We absolutely love your Bellini and would love to serve it at our wedding!"
