Still Magic

21/11/2025

Kia ora e te whānau🍸 The Gindegärten™ opens on 29 November, and you’re invited to book a place at the very first session. If you’re curious about gin, craft, and the magic of Te Aroha, this is where it all begins. Imagine being amongst the first in New Zealand to experience the transformation that awaits every Gindegärtener… At the foot of Mount Te Aroha, you’ll learn how to build flavour, run a still, and craft a gin that’s truly your own. This is hands-on, relaxed, a bit cheeky… and very Te Aroha.

📍 Te Aroha, at the foot of the Mountain of Love
📅 Opening weekend: 29 November
💰 $195 per booking (share the love and bring a friend!)
🍸 Take home 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘯

Our first Gindegärteners will be featured in our next newsletter (yes, you'll be famous!), so bring your spark, your ideas and a camera. If you can't make the opening weekend, join the waitlist for future sessions.
🎁 Gift vouchers are available - perfect for the person who ‘has everything’ except their own gin!

🔗 Booking link in the comments

If you’re ready to become a gin maker…here is your moment.
Discover. Create. Enjoy.

Follow the Heart.

📸 Kiwi Photographer

29/10/2025

Every gin tells a story - of place, of maker, of the botanicals that chose each other.

What story will your gin tell?

At The Gindegärten™, you will do and learn more than merely following recipes. You’ll discover your own gin personality, learning to balance botanicals in ways that reflect who you are and what moves you.

Some distillers chase citrus brightness. Others lean into earthy spice. What calls to you?

Share your instincts in the comments below 👇

Try that. Follow the heart.

14/10/2025

The secret to amazing gin? It starts with the 3Bs. Botanicals, Bases, and Blending. It’s a mix of art and science, and it’s a craft you can learn.

Who’s ready to unleash their inner gin artist?
Be bold. Follow the Heart.

02/02/2025

Gin Festivals are superb occasions for consumers to meet the makers, learn about their products and select a favourite or two to take away and enjoy with family and friends.
This weekend's Gin Events festival in Auckland was a great occasion indeed. Got around to see as many folks as I could, reconnected with long-time friends Awildian Gin, Karu Distillery, Heaps Good Spirits - Heaps Good Gin, Reefton Distilling Co., Kaimai Distillery, and forged a few new ones along the way as well. 4 sessions in 3 days is a tough ask on any crew so to see folks as upbeat on Day 3 as they were from the start was a tribute to their customer-first focus
Bravo to each and every one of you. Thank you for a superb event and making the experience so memorable. Ngā mihi nui from Tāmaki makau rau

17/01/2025

A quick note from me - if you haven't checked out the exciting new venture that is about to unfold at the foot of New Zealand's "mountain of love", click on the link below and subscribe to the waitlist 👇

https://www.tearohadistillingco.com

Once you've subscribed, a short quiz (1-2 minutes) will follow.

And here's the cool thing..

Your answers will help shape how the Te Aroha Distiling Co team can best serve its customers in the run-up to opening in 2025. Geography is no barrier, so go go go! 🍸

Passionate people, great kit, superb ingredients and loads of love, these are the 4 things you need to make great gin.

06/01/2025

Curious about the exciting developments on the horizon?
Explore more by clicking on the link shared below 👇

https://tearohadistillingco.com/

In 2024, I had the honour of receiving prestigious awards from my peers in New Zealand and London, along with taking on a director's role with The Distillers Institute. These acknowledgments align with my commitment to nurturing skilled professionals in the spirits industry through education.

For some time, I was drawn to the idea of establishing a presence at the base of New Zealand's "Mountain of Love" in Te Aroha, recognising that 'love' is a vital component in crafting exceptional spirits.

I am grateful to Ke-Xin Li from the Waikato Times for featuring the article that sheds light on the aspirations ahead.

15/09/2024

✨ What an incredible experience it was to open the 2nd Distilled Spirits Aotearoa conference in Tāmaki Makaurau this week ✨

I kicked off the day with karakia and waiata, with delegates joining in a rousing rendition of Tutira mai ngā iwi, setting the tone beautifully and filling the room with great energy.

My karakia focused on four guiding principles:
Whakanuia ō te whakapapa – Celebrate your heritage
Whakanuia ō te whānau – Celebrate your family, friends, and colleagues
Whakanuia ō te wairua – Celebrate the collective spirit that unites us
Haumaru ki te tangata – Keep everyone safe

Day 1 was packed with valuable insights from a stellar line-up of thought leaders:
🍸Strategy insights led by Crabb
🍸Excise challenges to tackle presented by Brewer
🍸A compelling discussion on container reuse vs. recycling led by Pollett (Green Bottle)
🍸Enlightening spirits education from Institute of Brewing and Distilling leaders Gigney & Thorn
🍸The inspiring journey of Reid, founder of Cardrona Distillery
and...
🍸a fresh Australian perspective from my “brother from another mother” Australian Distillers Association CEO Macleay.

Just as we were about to wind down with a well-deserved gin, something unexpected happened...

I was surprised and delighted when DSA Board members Hawk (Parched) and Crabb (1919 Distilling) announced me as the first-ever recipient of the DSA’s Outstanding Contribution Award for 2024. I'm not often lost for words, but this was the day!

Reflecting on my journey, which began back in 1987 at 228 Orakei Road, Remuera, it’s clear that "overnight success" takes decades of service. The Orakei Road site is now a shopping village, yet the buildings remain, and the view toward the city is as breathtaking as ever.

Later in the day, a delegate asked me to share a few insights on sustaining a lengthy career in spirits. Here’s what I offered:

1. Turn up on time, do as you're told.
2. The harder you work, the luckier you get.
3. The more you give, the more you receive.
4. Say things that matter to people who care.

This event is shaping up to be truly unforgettable. Roll on Day 2! 🥂