ABOUT US
Woodward St Distillery is built on a deep respect for the tradition of spirit making, a relentless pursuit of quality, and a commitment to sustainability in its truest sense. Every bottle tells our story: one of mastery, authenticity, sustainability, innovation, society, and integrity.
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THE FOUNDING MYTH OF WOODWARD STREET DISTILLING COMPANY
It started with an empty tenancy in Wellington's most beautiful Edwardian building at 97 The Terrace, right in the heart of the city.
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After years of extensive refurbishment, brothers Johnny and Robbie Thomson were looking for an anchor tenant for the prime space on Woodward Street laneway. However, in a soft market, offers were limited and when they did come in, they were uninspiring for the space.
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Unperturbed, a plan was hatched to transform the space themselves and take what was an amateur interest in alcohol, i.e drinking it, into a somewhat more professional endeavour - they'd build a distillery with a retail corner and sell gin out the door. The Woodward Street Distilling Company was born.
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Supporting the brothers on this odyssey, were hospitality veteran James Pask, as Director and General Manager, and mad scientist, Mikey Ball, in the roll of Head Distiller. As the founding group, together they set out with the goal of building a boutique city distillery that creates world class spirits imbued with a sense of provenance but also fun.
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Today, that dream is a reality, and within the most beautiful building in central Wellington, Agnes, our 300-litre copper still, sits proudly in the window, as a curiosity for some but an invitation for all to come inside and share a taste.
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We craft world-class spirits that honour tradition, embrace innovation, and capture the essence of our world. Our mission is to foster an environment of elegance and sophistication while uplifting our community. In a constantly changing world, we remain nimble, bold, and passionate about what we do. At our core, we’re here to craft exceptional spirits, enjoy the journey, and celebrate the world around us. Simply put, we strive to be the best.
01. MASTERY
We are dedicated to mastering distillation, blending traditional techniques with innovative practices. Our team pour their passion and expertise into every step of the process, ensuring that each spirit we produce is of world beating aristocratic pedigree.
02. AUTHENTICITY
We celebrate the authenticity of our brand, sourcing the finest ingredients for our global brand. Our spirits are a true reflection of place and traditions that inspire us, with each batch honed with care and precision. Our aim is to be the first name in elegance and sophistication.
03. SUSTAINABILITY
We are committed to sustainable practices that respect the environment and support our community. From eco-friendly local packaging to energy-efficient production methods, we strive to minimise our impact on the planet where we can while creating products that stand the test of time in the global market with innovation core to our approach.
04. INNOVATION
While we honour tradition, we also embrace innovation. We are constantly exploring new techniques, ingredients, and flavour profiles. Our goal is to create world class spirits that are both timeless and contemporary, appealing to the discerning consumers around the world. We were born in NZ but learned our ways in the world.
05. SOCIETY
Our distilleries will be more than just a place of production; it is a gathering place for our discerning customers and club members. It’s an exquisite spirit brand. We believe in the power of bringing people together around a collection of paramount spirits while providing exceptional hospitality. We support locality where we can and collaborate within our society, and give back to the world that has helped us prosper
06. INTEGRITY
Integrity guides everything we do. We are transparent in our processes, honest in our traditions and steadfast in our commitment to excellence. We believe that trust is earned, and we work tirelessly to ensure that our customers can trust in the purity of our spirits.
