In the Media

We never lose the feeling of excitement when we see articles sharing the story of our distillery.

Much gratitude to all of the editors, journalists, radio and TV hosts who have covered our story across a myriad of publications, on air, on TV, via podcasts and websites over the last 6 + years.

We include details and links to a select few stories below, and invite you to dip into our annual archives to read more.
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018

The Press

4 November 2024

Reefton gin and whisky infused with pounamu – by Joanne Naishwww.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360474436/reefton-gin-and-whisky-infused-pounamu

The Press 

5 October 2024

Playing the long game to take a West Coast whisky to the world – by Joanne Naishwww.thepress.co.nz/business/350434523/playing-long-game-take-west-coast-whisky-world

Restaurant & Café 

23 September 2024

Bar & Beverage, Distilleries, News
Little Biddy Refresh Reefton Distilling Co. has announced a refreshed look for its popular Little Biddy range with a modern, native botanical touch.restaurantandcafe.co.nz/little-biddy-refresh

Kia Ora magazine 

July 2024

Insider
Regional Flavour – Page 123
Available via the App Store View Article

AND
Business Briefs
Kiwi Enterprise - News from the country’s movers, shakers and innovators – by Matt Philp
Coastal Vision – Page 80
Available via the App Store   View Article

National Liquor News 

6 June 2024

News/ Spirits & RTD/
Sustainability Series: Reefton Distilling is protecting its home – by Caoimhe Hanrahan-Lawrence
theshout.com.au/national-liquor-news/sustainability-series-reefton-distilling-is-protecting-its-home

REX Rural Exchange 

16 May 2024

Host Dominic George chats with Patsy Bass about the latest happenings at the Distillery, including what it means for Reefton Distilling Co. becoming the first Whisky Distillery in New Zealand to achieve Bcorp certification
26:52 minutes to 34:47 – select Patsy’s name on the audio link
Listen here

Restaurant & Café 

3 May 2024

BAR & BEVERAGE, DISTILLERIES, LOCAL, NEWS
Reefton Distilling Co. welcome new cask owners
restaurantandcafe.co.nz/reefton-distilling-co-welcome-new-cask-owners

The Drinks Report 

25 March 2024 

People/ News
Gareth Morgan appointed distillery manager, Reefton Distilling Co. – by Doug Houlder
www.thedrinksreport.com/news/2024/19366-gareth-morgan-appointed-distillery-manager-reefton-distilling-co.html 

Unfiltered – The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Magazine 

Issue 84 August 2023 

Distillery Profile
Reefton – a New Zealand trailblazer
Find out more about the first distillery in New Zealand to sign a deal to bring its whisky to Society members
unfiltered.smws.com/unfiltered-08-2023/distillery-profile-reefton

REX Rural Exchange 

28 July 2023

Food & Drink
Cheers to Success: West Coast Distillery shines at 2023 SIP Awards – by Dominic George
View Article

Listen to the Podcast

The Farmlander 

Winter 2023 – 3 July 2023

Liquid Gold – by Niko Kloeten
Pg 64
issuu.com/farmlands/docs/farmlander_winter2023_issuu/64

RNZ 

7 June 2023

BUSINESS/ COUNTRY
West Coast whiskey distillery first from NZ to supply Scotch Malt Whisky Society
www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/491505/west-coast-whiskey-distillery-firstfrom-nz-to-supply-scotch-malt-whisky-society

LiquorLand Toast

6 June 2023

Gin Yummy: Reefton Distilling Gets Playful! by Hayley McLarin
www.toastmag.co.nz/spirits/reefton-distilling-flavour-gallery/

The Feed

16 December 2022

Reefton Distilling Co.
How to build a brand from nowhere – by Ben Fahythefeed.co.nz/news/8002/

Today FM – REX Today 

3 October 2022

REX Today host Dominic George talks to Patsy Bass about the opening of Reefton Distilling Co.’s new distillery on the West Coast
Listen to the Podcast

Drinksbiz 

4 October 2022

Industry News
Reefton Distilling Co. opens new distillery www.drinksbiz.co.nz/news/reefton-distilling-co-opens-new-distillery

WineNZ Magazine 

Spring 2022

Distilled by Design
Kiwi Gin choosing the best from the best – by Gilbert Petersen
Pages 49 and 50issuu.com/www.affinityads.com/docs/winenz_spring22_lr_003_
ff07f4b07df8b3/48

TV One 

17 February 2022

Seven Sharp’s Julian Lee looks at New Zealand’s great gin rush and how Little
Biddy Gin is like "Drinking the West Coast"!
www.facebook.com/watch?v=637773447507788

Drinksbiz 

25 August 2021

Little Biddy Gin meets Swanndri in new releasewww.drinksbiz.co.nz/news/little-biddy-gin-meets-swanndri-in-new-release

Restaurant & Café

10 August 2021

BEVERAGE, NEWS
New Zealand’s most exclusive gin
restaurantandcafe.co.nz/new-zealands-most-exclusive-g

The Daily Encourager

16 July 2021

Business and Innovation, Courage and initiative, Creativity
Regenerating a town - by Wayne Graham
dailyencourager.co.nz/regenerating-a-town

The Shout

30 June 2021

33 awards in 32 months for ‘relative newcomer’ West Coast distillery - by Charlotte Cowan
www.theshout.co.nz/33-awards-in-32-months-for-relative-newcomer-west-coast-distillery

Newshub

12 June 2021

Reefton defying odds with tourism boom, but neighbouring towns aren't seeing same success – by Holly Henry
www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2021/06/reefton-defying-odds-with-tourism-boom-but-neighbouring-towns-aren-t-seeing-same-success.html

Still Magic

25 May 2021

Ep. 38 Guardianship & Legacy
Distiller, Author and Podcast Host Marcel Thompson, interviews Patsy Bass - Reefton Distilling Co.
Listen to the Podcast

The Spinoff

9 May 2021

Business
West Coast spirit: How a little distillery is revitalising Reefton – by Michael Andrew thespinoff.co.nz/business/09-05-2021/a-magical-morning-at-the-reefton-distilling-co/

Toast Magazine 

February 20 2021

Raise a Gin Glass to Reefton’s 150th Anniversary
www.toastmag.co.nz/news/raise-a-gin-glass-to-reeftons-150th-anniversary

Restaurant & Café

October 9 2020

Industry, Liquor & Beverage, Local, News
Little Biddy strikes gold again
restaurantandcafe.co.nz/little-biddy-strikes-gold-again

Daily Encourager 

September 18 2020

Business and Innovation, Courage and initiative, People, Science and Technology
Young Head Distiller adds homegrown flavour to age-old industry - by Hope Writerdailyencourager.co.nz/young-head-distiller-adds-homegrown-flavour-to-age-old-industry

NZBusiness

May 7 2020

News, Inspiration
Reefton Distilling tries its hand at sanitiser
nzbusiness.co.nz/news-items/reefton-distilling-tries-its-hand-sanitiser

Stuff 

March 8 2020

Once reliant on gold and coal, now Reefton is striking out on its own - by Stu Huntwww.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/nz/118840785/once-reliant-on-gold-and-coal-now-reefton-is-striking-out-on-its-own

NZBusiness 

January 29 2020

Reefton Distilling Co. plans for expansionnzbusiness.co.nz/news-items/reefton-distilling-co-plans-expansion

RNZ Country Life 

November 22 2019

RNZ Business and Rural
The West Coast Town in Good Spirits
www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/countrylife/
audio/2018723692/the-west-coast-town-in-good-spirits

NZBusiness

September 18 2019

Events
Reefton Distilling Co. celebrates first birthday
nzbusiness.co.nz/news-items/reefton-distilling-co-celebrates-first-birthday

NZ Life & Leisure

May/June 19 Issue 85

Drinking Habits/ Reefton Distilling Co
Spirits of Reefton – by Lucy Corythisnzlife.co.nz/boutique-distillery-owner-patsy-bass-returns-to-reefton-for-a-shot-at-artisan-gin-with-a-historical-twist/

NZ Herald 

NZBusiness Magazine 

February issue – January 17 2019

Crafting untamed spirits by Glenn Baker
nzbusiness.co.nz/article/crafting-untamed-spirits

Channel 39 Southern TV

October 19 2018

Reefton Distillery opens its doors to the publicwww.channel39.co.nz/news/reefton-distillery-opens-its-doors-public

Stuff

October 18 2018

Reefton visitors embrace the spirit of distillery’s opening day by Chris Hutchingwww.stuff.co.nz/business/107931967/reefton-visitors-embrace-the-spirit-of-distillerys-opening-day

New Zealand Herald

October 7 2018

Small Business: Bringing people into small town New Zealand - Reefton
Distilling Co by Aimee Shawwww.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12135373