Barrel to Bottle: Where to Find Beer, Wine & Whisky in Ōamaru & Waitaki

Ōamaru's Heritage Precinct is home to Craftwork, a small, award-winning Belgian brewery run by Lee-Ann Scotti and Michael O’Brien. When the pair aren’t pouring quality pints, they’re busy brewing their signature beers offsite, including the beloved O’ambic, a sour and smooth wheat beer that has made a name for itself at local and international beer festivals. The tasting room offers a rotating selection of Craftwork beers paired with one heck of a cheese board, but if you’ve missed their opening hours, you’ll find them on the drinks list at local spots like The Criterion Hotel and Cucina.

When the sun’s out in Ōamaru, nothing quite beats a pizza and pint in the beer garden of Scotts Brewing Co. This independent craft brewery was established in 2007 and has since been knocking out a premium range of iconic and inventive beers. Gather around a picnic table with friends on the sunny deck or head inside to the tap room for a front-row view of the brewing magic happening under the same roof. Time your visit right and you may even be treated to some sweet live music. Surrounded by harbour views and beautiful historic buildings, it’s a favourite for locals and visitors alike.

The NZ Whisky Collection Cellar Door offers a pretty rare opportunity to taste world-class whisky, crafted from the legacy of what was once the world’s southernmost distillery. Originating from Dunedin’s Willowbank Distillery, the last 433 barrels of cask-strength whisky lay forgotten until three Tassie mates revived them in 2010. The world was clearly stoked to have New Zealand whisky back on the menu and they’ve won plenty of international awards. Visitors can enjoy tastings in a cosy, Scottish-inspired cellar door in the heart of Ōamaru’s Victorian Precinct, with guided tastings available as well as a well-stocked shop to elevate your at-home cabinet.

Founded by Grant Taylor in 1998, VALLI Wines is an independent label known for its beautiful wines crafted from the subregions of Waitaki and Central Otago. However, it wasn’t until 2023 that VALLI had a wine bar to call home when Grant and Nicole transformed the 1930s Kurow Post Office into an inviting space with original stonework mixed in with elegant and modern features. Here, visitors – whether arriving in heels or gumboots – can simply enjoy a casual glass of wine or opt for a guided tasting flight paired with a curated menu of delicious small plates.

Located on the roadside just outside of Kurow, River-T Estate Wines is a must-visit for anyone seeking a relaxed, family-friendly setting with the promise of great wine and food. Overlooking lush vines, this cellar door offers a selection of River-T’s own award-winning wines alongside excellent pours from other winemakers across Waitaki. To complement your glass of wine (or local craft beer if that’s more your thing), select one of River-T’s famous platters and spend the afternoon picking your way through some of the region’s best artisan producers in the form of cheese, bread, chutneys and more.

We couldn’t leave without a shout-out to every glass of wine’s best friend: cheese. More specifically, Ōamaru’s legendary Whitestone Cheese. If you missed the memo, Whitestone opened a new deli and diner at the end of 2023, with a scrumptious retro aesthetic that feels like falling into a Wes Anderson film. The menu is a celebration of their full cheese range, with a winning drinks list to match – featuring winemakers, brewers and distillers from Waitaki to Central Otago and beyond. Our recommendation? The cheese and wine flight: four seasonal cheeses paired with local boutique wines. Perfect.