New Zealand’s first and only premium gin festival, Gindulgence, is taking place in Christchurch next month. Established by Christchurch’s own Curiosity Gin, in partnership with The Ilam Homestead, Gindulgence is on March 24th 2018 in the Ilam Homestead grounds.
Gin will be complimented by some of Christchurch’s best food trucks, live music, opportunity to meet the makers and attend gin, cocktail and tonic masterclasses in the onsite Gin Theatre.
Curiosity Gin part-owner and originator of the Gindulgence event, Antony Michalik, is excited about the growth of the market. “New Zealand is known around the world for our wine and increasingly for our great craft beers as well. There is now also a burgeoning craft gin scene, and New Zealand Craft Gin is beginning to get recognised internationally as well,” he says. “Our gins are a real reflection of the taste of New Zealand. Taking our inspiration from the land and utilising local ingredients such as Manuka, a wide variety of other native botanicals, plus our pure artesian water gives us an edge and the ability to produce high quality unique products. Gindulgence is a fantastic opportunity to get gin lovers together to enjoy and showcase the best of New Zealand gins.”
Craft spirit launches grew 265% globally from 2011 to 2015 and Internationally gin is the fasted growing category in alcoholic beverages. New Zealand is following this trend with more craft distilleries opening each year. The consumer led demand for more authentic, more distinctive, more local, less processed and more interesting spirit brands is driving demand. In Australasia alone there are now over 100 craft distilleries and the market is growing.
The event will see New Zealand’s top gin producers showcase their boutique Gins: Curiosity Gin, Rogue Society, Sacred Spring, Juno, Hidden World, Karven and Lighthouse will all be on offer. Plus a range of International craft gin brands will also be available to taste with signature G&T’s made with StrangeLove Tonic (official Tonic of the Festival) and Cocktails available throughout the festival.
Gates open from 12noon. Tickets cost $35 and include a festival glass, tastings of all gins, plus access to the Gin Theatre. Tickets are available from https://www.gindulgence.co.nz
