The Spirits Workshop

Monday11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Tuesday11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Wednesday11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Thursday11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Friday11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Saturday11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

SundayClosed.

11 Sandyford St, Sydenham, Christchurch

021 336 416

Head to The Spirits Workshop in Sydenham for a uniquely New Zealand spirit experience. Here you can sample gins and whiskies that reflect Aotearoa, meet the people that make them and see the whole process, too.

This local business all got started in 2015 when four friends in Canterbury decided to split the cost of a still. The idea? Put the still in someone’s garage and make the “World’s Best” Single Malt Whisky from Canterbury’s “World’s Best” barley and water! Curiosity, however, got the best of them and just a year later they launched their own gin brand called you guessed it, Curiosity. The Spirits Workshop is now home to Curiosity Gin and Divergence Single Malt NZ Whisky.

That first still affectionately called ‘Yoyo’, helped the crew at The Spirits Workshop create Curiosity Gin - Recipe #23. The team perfected the stuff through trial and error and through lots of late night tastings. It took 23 tries to get it just right and the final result is made with Canterbury grain and eleven botanicals including Otago lavender, Manuka and fresh citrus. 

You can sample Recipe #23 at the cellar door here as well as Curiosity’s other gin varieties. In keeping with their commitment to NZ inspired flavours, the Curious Dry is made with mainly native botanicals like kawakawa, horopito, and manuka. It’s bright and herbaceous, a Kiwi take on the London Dry style. The Pinot Barrel Sloe, meanwhile, is made batch by batch in Otago Pinot Noir barrels. Whether you’re a long time gin lover, or just getting acquainted with the stuff, The Spirits Workshop team will show you the ropes. 

On the other side of the cellar door shelves, you'll find Divergence Single Malt Whisky - the product that got this whole thing started. Divergence is also uniquely New Zealand, made from 100% Canterbury grown and malted barley. It’s mashed, fermented, distilled and aged for 7+ years in Virgin Oak barrels right here at the workshop. This drop’s toffee, chocolate notes and florally undertones are joined by a Pinot Noir Barrel Aged and Port Barrel from New Zealand and Australia aged expression, too. Whiskey lover or not, it’s easy to see that these spirits have that industry ‘polish’ but are rooted in nature, our place, and a commitment to creating something truly special.

The Spirits Workshop Distillery Tour is an excellent way to spend an hour or two whether you’re just in town for the weekend or have lived here your whole life. You’ll learn about the whisky and gin making processes from the distillers themselves, get to see the stills, soak up the barrel room scent, and experience a guided tasting. Your tour voucher includes a special cellar door discount, so you can take home your favourite drop at a great price.

If you simply can’t get enough, head along to Riverside Market. Here you’ll find the Curiosity Cocktail Bar where you can spend the afternoon sipping handcrafted, one of a kind G&Ts and other delightful classic and bespoke cocktails.

Words by Olivia Sisson & Photography by Daniela Aebli & Nancy Zhou

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

11 Sandyford St, Sydenham, Christchurch

Nearby Places

J Friend & Co

Close up of person pulling up fresh Honey comb oozing honey.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Goods key icon.

Find local honey with as little intervention as possible at Christchurch honey business, J Friend & Co.

Allpress Espresso

Two employees working behind the cafe counter at Allpress Espresso in Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

The coffee here is just what you'd expect from the experienced Allpress roasters.

Bar Yoku

The colourful entrance to Bar Yoku Christchurch.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

The ultimate izakaya experience in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Bar Yoku is something special.

Ozone Coffee Walker Street

Exterior of Ozone Coffee Walker Street.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Cafes key icon.

The ultimate coffee hosts, Ozone Coffee, has a reputation around New Zealand and beyond for producing superior specialty coffee.

Similar Places

Two Thumb Brewing Co. – Harbourside

Exterior of Two Thumb Harbourside with people drinking and eating at tables
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon.

For years Diamond Harbour residents have been patiently waiting for a local watering hole; a venue to catch up with their neighbours and somewhere to kick back and relax...

Space Academy

The exterior of Space Academy.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon. Theatre and performance key icon.

In a converted industrial warehouse space on St Asaph Street, Space Academy has been keeping this part of town humming since it opened its doors in 2014.

Two Thumb Brewing Co. - Redcliffs

Exterior of Two Thumb Brewing Co. Redcliffs on a corner block.
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Redcliffs locals and anyone who regularly visits Christchurch’s seaside suburbs were overjoyed when Two Thumb Brewing Co. opened their Main Road brew bar in April 2025.

Restaurant O.G.B

View of Restaurant O.G.B
Place Christchurch & Canterbury
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

If you’re searching for a taste of London cool meets Mediterranean vibes in the heart of Christchurch city, Restaurant O.G.B is the answer.