One of the standout features in the Cardrona Valley, the Cardrona Distillery, is expanding its horizons to make itself an even more appealing destination to locals and domestic visitors wanting to explore their own backyard.

Less than 23km from Wanaka, its collection of architecturally designed stone schist buildings nestled in roses and high country grasses looks like they’ve been a part of the valley for generations.

In fact, the award-winning artisan single malt distillery has just celebrated its fifth birthday (November 5) with the limited release of Growing Wings, the distillery’s first five-year-old whisky single cask expression.

If you fancied a bottle of this precious amber liquid you may have to be patient. All 700 bottles of the limited release were pre-sold within 24 hours. The solera, a classic sherry-style expression, won’t be released until April or May next year, Cardrona Distillery founder Desiree Whitaker said.

Included in the tour, the distillery’s stillhouse is as eye-catching as it is functional. PHOTO: Supplied

Yet as much as Growing Wings is an achievement in itself in a year which, Desiree admits, has been “a rollercoaster”, the distillery is also forging ahead with its new in-house dining concept.

Last Monday (November 23) the distillery welcomed top class chef Kim Kuravilla to its team to provide a new menu to match the distillery’s spirit based cocktails.

Cardrona Distillery's operations manager and cocktail builder Kenny Vaugh. PHOTO: Wanaka App

The distillery has long provided tasty platters for dining guests but decided to take a bold step to attract more visitors to stay a while and dine at its bar.

Pairing food and cocktails is going to elevate the dining experience, Desiree said, and “show how delightful it is to match those different flavour sensations”.

New Zealand born and raised, Kim has been working in Melbourne for many years but decided now was a good time “to come home” and he’s chosen Wanaka for his change in lifestyle.

Distillery staff help locals fill bottles of the distillery’s disinfectant spray provided free of charge to the community to help slow the spread of the COVID-19. PHOTO: Wanaka App

“He’s sensational,” Desiree said. “We believe more and more Kiwis are coming home to enjoy their own backyard and we want to embrace them.”

The distillery’s operations manager and cocktail maker extraordinaire Kenny Vaugh said the new vibrant menu will provide “a good excuse to come for a tasty little lunch”. 

“Think of it as a bar menu on steroids - something that will really bring a little excitement.”

Stored whisky barrels. PHOTO: Supplied

Kim will present his new food menu from next Friday (December 4) and Kenny is designing a sensational cocktail menu to pair with the food, Desiree said. 

Kim will be sourcing as much of his product as possible from locals, Kenny said. “He’s already developed a few relationships in the community with suppliers and is very excited by the opportunity to use fresh, local produce.” 

Opened in 2015, the Cardrona Distillery is owned and operated by four New Zealand families and its innovative spirits (vodka, gin and whisky) are made with water from the valley’s glacier fed spring and a variety of local botanicals. All bottling, labelling and packaging is hand done on site.

The distillery’s primary products are whisky, gin and vodka. PHOTO: Wanaka App.

The distillery’s three year old solera whisky, Just Hatched, won New Zealand’s Best Single Malt Whisky in the 12 years and under category at the World Whiskies Awards 2020.

Like many local businesses, the distillery experienced a significant downturn in sales during lockdown. “It was a very scary time, as it was for so many people,” Desiree said.

But, since the lockdown, they’ve also been amazed and humbled by the support from locals and visitors who have ventured forth to enjoy tours of the distillery and to purchase their home-grown spirits.

Desiree said they were “incredibly grateful to the local community” who had spread the word and encouraged new visitors and product sales.

“We’ve been quietly overjoyed”, Kenny said. 

So, take the 17 minute car ride, or an hour and 15 minutes by bike, and treat yourself to a special lunch either inside or outside in the sheltered courtyard. And if you have the time, the 75 minute tour of the distillery is entertaining, illuminating and inspirational - well worth the effort. 

Maybe while you’re there you might spot the distillery’s icon - a lone native falcon which is often found perched at the end of the barrel house. This bird famously stood on the neck of the wash still as it was craned into the distillery. “We were blessed that day,” Kenny said.

The distillery is open to the public from 9:30am - 5:00pm, seven days a week.