Open year-round, Cardrona Distillery offers an authentic insider look at New Zealand’s rapidly evolving spirits scene and a taste of one of South Island’s most distinctive culinary experiences. Whether stopping in for a tasting, lingering over lunch, or spending the day exploring whisky with the distillery’s Master Distiller, visitors are discovering that Cardrona is more than a stop between destinations, it is a destination.

(NEW!) Cardrona Day - Luxury Private Experience
Hosted by Cardrona’s Master Distiller, Sarah Elsom, this exclusive experience includes archive tastings, barrel sampling, a chef-curated multi-course lunch, bespoke whisky experiences and private transport
from USD1,420 for two guests. For a jet-set add-on, book helicopter transport for a flight to a a scenic mountain spot or glacier location for a dreamy dram or signature Reid Martini.

Family Reserve Tour
Cask tastings, bottle-filling by hand directly from the barrel, and an immersive whisky-and-food pairing experience showcasing Cardrona’s award-winning approach to food and spirits pairings from USD 255 for 3+ hours. 

Classic Tour
Guided distillery tour and tasting of five acclaimed Cardona spirits from USD 30 for 75 minutes.

Cardrona Distillery’s restaurant, recently awarded New Zealand’s coveted Hat in the 2025 Cuisine Good Food Awards, is believed to be the New Zealand’s only restaurant dedicated to exploring the relationship between food, spirits, and cocktails. Seasonal menus evolve weekly (and often daily), to showcase local ingredients at their peak. The restaurant works with a select group of New Zealand artisan producers who provide the very best ingredients to create cuisine that artfully pairs with Cardrona’s award-winning spirits portfolio. For an even deeper culinary experience, guests can order the restaurant’s Trust the Chef menu, a singular, multi-course dining experience that changes daily to curate the best, most inventive food and spirits pairings.

It’s wintertime in New Zealand now through the end of August - a cozy time to settling in at Cardrona Distillery for tastings of their acclaimed spirits, crafted cocktails and delicious fireside meals inspired by local ingredients including hearty root vegetables.  Enjoy the Cardrona Valley’s scenic Crown Range Road drive through a winter wonderland of snow-covered Southern Alps, skiing and snowboarding at the Cardrona Alpine Resort - one of New Zealand’s premier ski resorts — or snowshoe on a guided backcountry tour at Snow Farm New Zealand near the top of Crown Range. August is a locals’ favorite time of the winter season for skiing and snowboarding the best quality snowpack, longer daylight hours and more settled weather.

The Spring Season begins in September - considered one of the Cardrona Valley’s most underrated months, September is a time of magical transformation from snow covered mountains and valleys to
greening fields of budding wildflowers. Cardrona Distillery’s gardens celebrate first spring crops including asparagus, rocket, chives and nasturtiums. Spring’s Warmer ocean temperatures in spring bring new species of fish to local waters including Kowhai which is similar to Bluefish found in the U.S.  This is also a time for Chef Foster’s conversations with local growers about plantings for the seasons ahead.  Up in the mountains, skiing and other winter activities are typically still available until late September/early October, with warmer temperatures in the valley. In October, the valley comes alive offering good hiking, biking and horse trekking conditions at the lower elevations. Early summer arrives in November with warmer days, cool nights and activities including golf, kayaking, Zip-lining, jet boating, fishing, etc..