Food & Drink

Gin Tasting and Craft Distilleries in Hawke's Bay: A Visitor's Guide

Updated 27 October 2026

When people picture Hawke's Bay, their thoughts usually drift across sun-drenched vine rows, historic stone cellars, and long afternoons tasting award-winning reds. Yet alongside this celebrated wine tradition, an independent and passionate craft distilling scene has established a distinct identity of its own. Across Hastings, Napier, and the surrounding rural valleys, modern spirits makers are working with aromatic botanicals, certified organic alcohol, and traditional distillation copper to produce world-class New Zealand spirits.

Whether you are visiting from Queenstown, elsewhere in New Zealand, or exploring your own regional backyard, adding spirits to your travel schedule opens up a fresh perspective on local craftsmanship. Navigating craft distilleries and spirit tasting rooms requires slightly different planning than a standard afternoon of vineyard hopping. Distillers work in smaller urban facilities or artisan spaces, offer targeted educational flights, and operate under specific tasting guidelines. In this guide, I will walk you through the premier tasting locations, boutique experiences, spirit-focused events, and practical transport logistics to help you build an exceptional Hawke's Bay spirits itinerary.

The Standout Urban Distillery: Hastings Distillers

At the very heart of the region's craft distilling movement is Hastings Distillers, situated at 231 Heretaunga Street East in Hastings. Positioned within the lively East 200 block, the distillery door sits amongst an eclectic cluster of independent boutiques, bakeries, and artisanal businesses that give this historic commercial strip its vibrant atmosphere.

The tasting room is housed inside an artfully restored 1930s building with deep community roots. Originally home to commercial printers P.J.S. George and later the premises of the Denton Wyatt bookshop, the property has been sensitively revitalised to provide an elegant stage for handcrafted spirits and specialty botanical liqueurs. Rather than an out-of-town industrial shed, this is a refined urban tasting room integrated into the daily life of Hastings, making it remarkably convenient to access on foot during an afternoon exploring the town centre.

Guided Tastings and Walk-in Flights

One of the most welcoming aspects of Hastings Distillers is the accessibility of its daytime tasting flights. If you are exploring Heretaunga Street East and wish to discover how boutique botanicals come together in a glass, casual flights do not require an advance booking. Guided tastings run throughout the day until 5:00 pm, allowing walk-in visitors to sample spirits at their own pace.

During a flight, knowledgeable staff guide you through the distillery's core spirits, explaining the botanicals, organic maceration, and distillation processes behind each profile. The guided format gives newcomers and seasoned gin enthusiasts alike a tactile, sensory understanding of aromatic balance without requiring rigid advance scheduling.

The 90-Minute Bespoke Tasting Masterclass

For visitors wanting a deeper, structured exploration into the art and philosophy of spirits, Hastings Distillers offers a private masterclass titled the Bespoke Tasting. This 90-minute guided experience is created specifically for groups seeking to broaden their knowledge in an intimate setting alongside the people who make the spirits.

During the session, guests sit down with the master distiller for an extensive conversation exploring technical distillation methods, botanical selection, and biodynamic growing practices. The tasting flight covers a wide selection of products, including seasonal releases and one-off experimental batches not always available on standard bar flights. The experience concludes with a freshly crafted cocktail selected from the menu and a shared platter of regional delicacies. This premium masterclass costs $120 per person, requires a minimum group of six people, and must be pre-booked ahead of time.

Evening Atmosphere, Share Plates, and Bottle Sales

As the afternoon transitions into evening, the tasting room adopts a relaxed neighbourhood lounge ambience. Guests can settle in with classic gin and tonics, original cocktails showcasing house spirits, or a curated selection of alternative beverages paired with small, thoughtful share plates designed to complement botanical flavours.

If you are travelling with a group of six or more for evening drinks, table reservations can be booked in advance. For travellers keen to bring a taste of Hawke's Bay home, takeaway bottle sales are available directly from the front counter. When planning your visit, keep in mind that Hastings Distillers operates Wednesday through Saturday, opening at 11:00 am each day. Closing hours vary depending on the season: winter hours run from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, extending to 8:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays (with wider seasonal schedules keeping the doors open until 7:00 pm on mid-week evenings). Checking opening times before setting out is always recommended when mapping your day.

Ahuriri's Dedicated Gin Destination: The Gintrap

While Hastings is home to a dedicated urban distillery door, Napier provides its own haven for craft spirit lovers along the historic working waterfront of Ahuriri. Located at 64 West Quay, The Gintrap Restaurant & Bar has earned a celebrated reputation as the region's most comprehensive spirit showcase.

What sets The Gintrap apart is the sheer scale of its spirit collection. The bar curates what it calls its "Gin Bible"—an encyclopedic, ever-expanding compendium featuring more than 315 individual gins. This impressive cellar spans renowned international labels, obscure single-batch productions from remote boutique stills, and proud locally made New Zealand gins. It gives visitors a rare chance to sample regional spirits side by side with legendary styles from around the world.

To help guests navigate this enormous spirits library, the bar offers dedicated gin tasting flights. Ordering a flight allows you to sample multiple distinctive styles, comparing traditional juniper-heavy profiles against citrus-forward contemporary releases and native botanical blends. The bar team understands the collection thoroughly and can offer recommendations based on your personal flavour preferences, tonic choices, and garnish pairings.

Ahuriri itself serves as an atmospheric destination for spirit travellers. Set along the sheltered inner harbour quayside, an afternoon flight at The Gintrap pairs naturally with a scenic walk out toward Perfume Point, where you can watch boats navigating the harbour entrance and take in the sea breeze before heading to dinner.

Regional Spirit Showcases: Shed 530 Estate

Beyond permanent tasting rooms, Hawke's Bay's wine estates periodically open their grounds to celebrate the wider distilling craft. A notable example is Shed 530 Estate, which hosts Gindulgence, a dedicated festival celebrating New Zealand craft gin and boutique spirits.

Shed 530 Estate provides a scenic rural vineyard backdrop that transforms during the festival into a lively showcase for regional and national distillers. The event brings independent producers together in one location, allowing visitors to sample an impressive variety of craft gins alongside boutique rum, vodka, whisky, and handcrafted liqueurs. Accompanied by local food vendors, live music, and arranged event transport, these gatherings demonstrate how seamlessly craft distilling has integrated into the culinary identity of Hawke's Bay. If your travel dates match a scheduled festival, securing a ticket provides a social and efficient way to explore numerous boutique distillers in a single afternoon.

Comparing the Venues: A Quick Planning Guide

To help you decide where to spend your tasting time, here is an overview of the key spirit venues across the district based on verified visitor arrangements:

Venue & Location	Style & Focus	Tasting Experiences	Booking Policies
Hastings Distillers 231 Heretaunga St East, Hastings	Urban certified organic distillery tasting room set in a restored 1930s heritage building.	Walk-in flights (available until 5:00 pm); 90-minute Bespoke Tasting with master distiller, cocktail, and local platter; cocktails and share plates.	Walk-ins welcome for daytime flights; table bookings available for groups of 6+; Bespoke Tasting requires advance booking ($120pp, min 6).
The Gintrap Restaurant & Bar 64 West Quay, Ahuriri, Napier	Vibrant waterfront bar and eatery with an encyclopedic "Gin Bible" of 315+ domestic and international gins.	Custom gin tasting flights chosen from the collection; full dining menu, signature cocktails, and wine list.	Walk-ins welcome for bar flights; dining reservations recommended during peak meal periods.
Shed 530 Estate Rural Hawke's Bay	Scenic vineyard estate hosting craft spirit festivals and showcases such as Gindulgence.	Festival tasting stalls presenting craft gin, rum, vodka, whisky, and liqueurs from independent New Zealand distillers.	Special event ticketing required; book entries and dedicated festival transport in advance.

Touring Logistics: Self-Drive Planning vs Organised Charters

Because spirits carry higher alcohol volumes than wine or craft beer, thoughtful route planning is essential when touring Hawke's Bay. Deciding whether to drive yourself or book private transport will shape how you structure your day between Hastings, Napier, and Havelock North.

Self-Driving with a Designated Driver

Travelling by car gives you complete freedom to build your own schedule, linger longer at spots you love, and take scenic routes through the countryside. However, if you choose to self-drive, selecting a dedicated sober driver is non-negotiable. New Zealand enforces strict blood-alcohol limits, and even a single spirit tasting flight can push a driver over the legal threshold.

If you have a sober driver, the central locations of these spirit destinations make navigation straightforward. Hastings Distillers is easily accessible with town-centre parking available throughout the blocks surrounding Heretaunga Street East. In Napier, Ahuriri provides street and waterside parking along West Quay, letting your party stroll between tasting venues, coastal walkways, and historic dockland warehouses.

Guided Tour Operators and Private Charters

If everyone in your group wishes to participate in tastings without driving worries, reserving a regional tour or private charter is the safest and most relaxing option. Hawke's Bay boasts several established transport operators specialising in regional food and drink touring:

Bay Tours & Charters: Provides organised group itineraries and private vehicle charters across the district, ideal for custom day trips.
Frankly Hawke's Bay Tours: Offers scenic regional outings and bespoke food-and-drink tours connecting Napier, Hastings, and surrounding valleys.
Hunter Gatherer Tours: Specialises in culinary and artisan producer experiences, customising itineraries around boutique local makers.
Prinsy's Tours: An experienced local operator providing personalised private tours guided by knowledgeable regional hosts.
Winery Tours Hawke's Bay: While primarily known for cellar door wine circuits, they regularly arrange custom beverage charters that can incorporate urban distilleries and craft bars upon request.

When booking a private charter, communicate your desire to visit craft spirits venues when designing the route. Because typical touring routes follow standard vineyard loops, including an urban tasting room in Hastings or an Ahuriri waterfront bar requires conscious itinerary adjustments by your charter operator.

If you need assistance coordinating local transport, checking seasonal schedules, or booking regional activities, calling into the Napier isite Visitor Information Centre on Marine Parade is a smart first stop. Their team provides practical travel guidance, ticketing assistance, and up-to-date recommendations for touring the wider bay.

Practical Tips for Craft Spirit Tastings

Tasting concentrated botanical spirits requires slightly different techniques and habits than sampling wine. Keeping a few practical principles in mind will ensure you enjoy the fullest sensory experience while exploring Hawke's Bay:

1. Approach Flights Mindfully

At dedicated tasting venues, spirit flights are typically presented as small neat pours accompanied by ice, quality tonic water, and curated garnishes. Begin by nosing the glass gently without swirling aggressively to avoid overwhelming your senses with spirit vapours. Take a small sip neat to evaluate the texture, purity, and primary botanical notes—such as juniper, coriander seed, citrus peel, or native botanicals. Afterwards, add a few drops of water or a splash of tonic to observe how dilution opens the aromatic layers and softens the palate.

2. Pace Your Daily Schedule

Due to the potency of distilled spirits, resist the temptation to crowd too many tasting stops into one afternoon. A rewarding itinerary usually anchors around a single focused spirit experience—such as a daytime guided flight at Hastings Distillers—balanced with a long lunch, relaxed walking, and an evening drink in Ahuriri. Giving your palate time to rest keeps every tasting distinctive and enjoyable.

3. Check Operating Calendars in Advance

Boutique operations frequently tailor their operating days to match visitor flow and seasonal demand. Hastings Distillers opens Wednesday through Saturday from 11:00 am, closing earlier on mid-week winter evenings than on weekend nights. Always confirm current operating hours before setting out, especially when planning a trip mid-week or during the cooler months.

4. Reserve Ahead for Groups

While solo travellers and couples can generally drop in for walk-in daytime flights before 5:00 pm, groups of six or more require advance planning. Both table seating at Hastings Distillers and dining at The Gintrap fill up quickly during peak travel periods. If your party wants to experience the 90-minute Bespoke Tasting with the master distiller, reserving weeks ahead is essential to secure availability.

Weaving Spirits into a Balanced Itinerary

One of the true joys of travelling through Hawke's Bay is how comfortably different food and beverage experiences fit together. You do not have to pick exclusively between visiting vineyards and exploring craft spirits; the two worlds complement each other naturally.

A memorable day might begin with a morning stroll around the boutique shops and cafes of Havelock North, followed by an easy drive into Hastings for an unhurried guided flight and light bites at Hastings Distillers. From there, head across to the coast in Napier, ending your day on the Ahuriri waterfront exploring the extensive pages of The Gintrap's Gin Bible as the maritime light softens across the quay. By combining the historic urban character of Hastings, the seaside energy of Napier, and the dedication of passionate local producers, you will discover a rich, sophisticated craft spirit scene that rewards unhurried exploration.

Cover photo: Hastings Distillers - Tim O'Brien

By Alyssa.

Sources and further information

Sources checked: 2026-10-27.