Cardrona Distillery, Wānaka

Under new ownership, Cardrona Distillery is undergoing a comprehensive programme of renovation and expansion to support increased production and further develop the site as a destination for whisky, spirits, food and hospitality. The development combines the refurbishment of existing facilities with a series of new buildings, allowing the distillery to expand its operational capacity while creating additional spaces for visitors and guests.

The expanded distillery will incorporate a new restaurant, private bar, offices and warehouse facilities for barrel storage, alongside improvements to the existing production and visitor areas. The new buildings have been designed to work with the established character of the distillery and its alpine setting. Continuing the existing stone-clad architectural language, the buildings are carefully positioned within the landscape, with their scale, materiality and form responding to the surrounding terrain rather than competing with it.

Condon Scott Architects were engaged to provide full interior design services across the project, with the interiors developed as an extension of the architectural approach. Material selection, detailing and craftsmanship were central to the design, creating a consistent relationship between the existing and new spaces.

The interiors combine natural materials, bespoke joinery and high-quality finishes, with a restrained palette chosen to complement the surrounding landscape and the distillery’s existing architecture. Custom details and considered lighting contribute to an atmosphere that is warm and refined without being overly formal. The result is a hospitality environment that supports the practical requirements of a working distillery while providing an elevated setting for dining, entertaining and experiencing Cardrona’s whisky and spirits.