About Greytown Distilling Company
Greytown Distilling Company makes small-batch gins and gin liqueurs in the South Wairarapa town that bills itself as New Zealand's first planned inland European settlement. Master Distiller Peter Warren developed the company's own neutral spirit, and the range leans on local and seasonal botanicals: Manuka & Lemon, Pears of Paradise and Horopito & Lime in one collection, Beekeeper, Gardener and an apple, cinnamon and lime Orchardist in another, and winter gins such as Frostbite (peppercorn, mint and lemon) and Fireside (nutmeg, orange and malted barley).
Tastings happen in the Tasting Shed inside the Blackwell and Sons emporium at 110 Main Street. A hosted tasting takes about 10 minutes: three of their gins in crystal glasses, each with a matched tonic, plus the story behind each gin and help picking out the local botanicals. There is no set fee, though tips are welcome. Hosted tastings run 10am to 4pm without booking on Fridays, Saturdays and special holidays, and by appointment on other days. Retail sales are open daily from 10am to 4pm.
Groups of up to four suit the shed best, with six the maximum. The spirits are for adults 18 and over. After 4pm, the White Swan Country Hotel on Main Street serves as the distillery's official bar. Bottles run from NZ$54.90 for 375ml to NZ$104.90 for a 750ml Martini Connoisseur gin (2026).
Ranui Essentials Lavender Farm is a short drive away, so a gin tasting fits neatly into a Saturday spent between Greytown's shops and the Wairarapa lavender farms.
What to do
- Taste three Greytown gins with matched tonics in about 10 minutes
- Walk in on a Friday or Saturday between 10am and 4pm
- Ask the host to point out the local botanicals in each gin
- Pick up a seasonal gin or gin liqueur from the shop, open daily
- Continue to the White Swan Country Hotel on Main Street after 4pm
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Walk-in tastings Fridays, Saturdays and holidays; shop open daily
- Hours
- 2026: hosted tastings 10am–4pm Fridays, Saturdays and special holidays (other days by appointment); retail daily 10am–4pm
- Admission
- Tastings free; tips welcome (2026)
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Tips for your visit
- Book ahead if you want to taste on a weekday
- Keep groups to four or fewer if you can; six is the maximum
- Greytown's Main Street is walkable, but plan a designated driver for the trip home
Pair it with a lavender farm
Ranui Essentials Lavender Farm · about 8 minutes away
Ranui Essentials Lavender Farm is about 3 miles away, so the two fit into one Wairarapa afternoon.
Getting there
Questions
Does the tasting cost anything?
No set fee; tips are welcome.
Do I need to book?
Not on Fridays, Saturdays and special holidays; other days are by appointment.
How long does a tasting take?
About 10 minutes for three gins with matched tonics.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of the Wairarapa & Kāpiti Coast, New Zealand
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
