CHRISTCHURCH DISTILLERY FIELD GUIDE
Inside the Stills: A Sensory Walk Through Christchurch’s Working Distillery
A 1.5‑hour guided visit to The Spirits Workshop that reveals the stills, barrel store and the craft behind its whisky and gin—finished with a guided tasting and cellar‑door purchases.
Inside the Stills: A Sensory Walk Through Christchurch’s Working Distillery.
Step into The Spirits Workshop in Sydenham and you’re met first by the iron hush of copper stills and the deep, woody scent of ageing barrels. This Distillery Tour pulls back the curtain on day‑to‑day distilling—how vapour becomes spirit and how time in oak sculpts flavour—before a focused tasting that teases apart each whisky and gin.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
See the stills at work
A guided walkthrough introduces you to the working stills and the processes the distillers use to make whisky and gin, with direct explanation from the team at The Spirits Workshop.
Smell the ageing spirits
Step into the barrel store and take in the rich aromas of spirits maturing in oak, a key sensory chapter in understanding how time and wood shape flavour.
Guided tasting and cellar‑door buys
The tour finishes with a guided tasting of the distillery’s range; all spirits are available to sample and purchase on site, with a $20 discount on any 700ml bottle bought that day.
What the day feels like
What the visit feels like
Over 1.5 hours you move from bright production spaces into the hushed barrel store, listening to distillers describe history, ingredients and technique, then refocus your senses at a guided tasting that ties the stories and methods to the flavours in the glass.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this tour—and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The Distillery Tour runs for 1.5 hours.
The tour departs from The Spirits Workshop at 11 Sandyford Street, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023.
All spirits are available to sample and purchase at the cellar door; guests receive $20 off any 700ml bottle purchased on the day.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The Distillery Tour lasts 1.5 hours.
Where do I meet the tour?
Meet at The Spirits Workshop, 11 Sandyford Street, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023.
What will I see on the tour?
You will see the workings of the distillery including the stills and barrel store, hear about the history and craft of distilling whisky and gin, and enjoy a guided tasting.
Can I buy bottles on site?
Yes. All spirits are available to sample and purchase at the cellar door, and guests receive $20 off any 700ml bottle purchased on the day.
Who runs the distillery tour?
The tour is operated by The Spirits Workshop.