Restaurant
Cardrona Distillery
2125 Cardrona Valley Road, Wānaka 9382, New Zealand
Find Cardrona Distillery
2125 Cardrona Valley Road, Wānaka 9382, New Zealand
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Cardrona Distillery
Skip the standard Wānaka roadside stops. Cardrona Distillery pairs working copper stills with serious valley dining—tucked into standalone glasshouses against the mountain ridge. Traveling diners point each other toward the blind \"Trust the Chef\" menu by Jake Foster. Dishes shift with regional harvests, matched with cocktail pairings like a Red Rabbit margarita poured against rich kahawai. Behind the tasting room, thirty-five-dollar tours wind through the barrel rooms before a spirits flight, with the ticket price credited directly toward a bottle off the shelf.
- \"Trust the Chef\" Dining: Multi-course blind menu from Chef Jake Foster featuring sustainable regional ingredients and tailored cocktail pairings.
- Valley Glasshouse Pavilions: Private outdoor glasshouse rooms set against alpine valley views alongside indoor seating by a roaring fire.
- Tours with Cellar Door Credit: Guided production walkthroughs and spirit tastings with the thirty-five-dollar tour fee credited toward bottle purchases.
What's On at Cardrona Distillery
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Book Cardrona Distillery
Why travelers and spirits enthusiasts reserve a table and tour at Cardrona Distillery
Artistic 'Trust the Chef' Multi-Course Dining
Multi-course dining led by the chef transforms hyper-local ingredients into a cohesive, artistic tasting experience.
‘Trust the Chef’ was one of the best meals I have ever had. Full of artistic presentation and incredible flavours.
Steven Robertson Tailored Spirit and Cocktail Pairings
Curated craft cocktails and house spirits are paired seamlessly to complement regional seafood and produce throughout the meal.
The cocktail/drink pairings were perfect- the red rabbit magarita really did make the kahawai sing!
Mel Lublow-Catty In-Depth Production Walkthroughs and Tastings
Guides lead travelers through grain, mashing, and distillation steps with interim and final spirit samples to demonstrate the craft.
guide Johnny was so knowledgeable and explained the entire production process so well even letting us taste samples along the way as well as the final result to help understand each step!
Eithne Murray Tour Fee Credit on Bottle Purchases
Tour admissions deliver exceptional value by directly crediting the full ticket price against cellar door bottle purchases.
For 35$ you get the tour and the tasting at the end. Whiskey gin and other liquor. You get 35$ off if you buy a bottle at the end.
Isabelle Lagace Scenic Glasshouse Dining Pavilions
Individual glass pavilions nestled in the grounds let guests sip craft cocktails surrounded by rugged mountain terrain.
Afterward we had some delicious cocktails in the scenic outdoor glass huts.
Linnea Thiem Inviting Hearthside Alpine Retreat
Alpine road trippers can transition inside to unwind beside an open hearth with warm and attentive valley hospitality.
We were seated beautifully beside a roaring fire, which made the whole atmosphere feel even more warm and inviting.
Alexandria Peldmanis
Most popular items
Distillery highlights, guided tours, and destination dining in the Cardrona Valley.
Distillery Tour
Really like the tour. Lots of information and the guide Ella was knowledgeable and friendly. For 35$ you get the tour and the tasting at the end.
Isabelle Lagace 'Trust the Chef' Tasting Menu
‘Trust the Chef’ was one of the best meals I have ever had. Full of artistic presentation and incredible flavours.
Steven Robertson Spirits Tasting Flight
Our tasting session that included whiskey, vodka, gin and liqueurs, resulted in several bottles of these being sent back home.
Anna Butler Glasshouse Dining
The food, the service, the gin (and the rest), the location, and the wee glass house dining rooms are epic!
Mel Lublow-Catty
Other favorites
Distinctive cocktails, house spirits, and refreshments beyond the core tour and tasting menu
Red Rabbit Margarita
The cocktail/drink pairings were perfect- the red rabbit magarita really did make the kahawai sing!
Mel Lublow-Catty The Source Gin
The Sorce Gin is a favourite
Leanne Smith (Smittzz) Elderflower Liqueur
the new elderflower liquor is on point.
Leanne Smith (Smittzz) Mocktails
Even the mocktails are delicious.
Cy
Beyond the menu
From fireside flexibility to doorstep spirit shipping, bespoke service enriches your valley visit—reserve your table or tour ahead.
Seamless Fireside Relocation
Guests can effortlessly transition from the outdoor dining glasshouses to indoor tables placed right beside a roaring open fire whenever mountain conditions call for it.
Effortless Coeliac Menu Adaptation
The kitchen team accommodates coeliac and dietary requirements with tailored dish adjustments that preserve the full multi-course dining experience.
Mid-Tour Stage Tastings
Distillery guides pour active production samples alongside the finished spirits to showcase how flavor develops across each stage of distillation.
Direct Home Bottle Shipping
Travelers can purchase bottles directly from the cellar door and arrange to have their spirits packaged and shipped home so they arrive without luggage hassle.
Before you head over
Practical planning advice to help you get the most out of your visit—reserve your tour and table ahead to secure your spot.
Budget Two to Three Hours
The multi-course "Trust the Chef" tasting menu unfolds over two to two-and-a-half hours. Carve out a full afternoon if you plan to combine a guided production tour with lunch.
Plan Your Return Transport
With the distillery located 25 km from Wānaka and tastings spanning whisky, gin, and vodka, arrange a sober driver in advance or plan to linger for lunch so everyone travels safely.
Redeem Tour Fees on Bottles
Your $35 tour admission includes a tasting flight and doubles as a dollar-for-dollar credit toward bottle purchases at the cellar door, with shipping options available if you are traveling light.
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