Business overview
Auld Farm Distillery, located in Scotts Gap, Southland, New Zealand, is a pioneering grain-to-glass distillery rooted in over a century of family farming. Established in 2017 by Rob and Toni Auld, the distillery operates on a 200-hectare farm that has cultivated grain since 1883. Embracing a "seed-to-sip" philosophy, Auld produces premium single malt and single grain whiskies, as well as innovative gins, using nine distinct grains—including barley, wheat, oats, purple wheat, black oats, black barley, rye, triticale, and maize—all grown on the farm.In 2022, Auld Farm Distillery received the Innovation Award at the inaugural Arable Awards, recognizing its commitment to excellence and innovation in grain production. The distillery's Ocean’s Keep Gin, crafted from an oat base and infused with Bluff oysters, exemplifies its dedication to capturing the essence of the Southern terroir.
Celebrating 100 years of family ownership, Auld continues to honor its heritage while pushing the boundar
Products and services I offer
Auld Farm Distillery crafts premium, small-batch spirits made exclusively from grain grown on our Southland farm. Our core products include:Single Grain and Single Malt Whiskies – Made from nine unique grain types, including rare heritage grains like purple wheat and black oats.
Artisan Gins – Featuring distinctive expressions such as Ocean’s Keep Gin, infused with Bluff oysters and native botanicals, highlighting our Southern terroir.
Limited-Edition Spirits – Seasonal and commemorative releases, including our Centenary Whisky celebrating 100 years of family farming.
Distillery Tours & Tastings – On-site experiences that offer a behind-the-scenes look at our seed-to-sip process.
Retail & Online Sales – Bottles available for purchase directly from our farm store and via our website.
We combine innovation with tradition to deliver truly local, seed-to-sip spirits.
Why I'm in the NZ Businesswomen
I joined the Businesswomen’s Network to connect with like-minded women who are passionate about building sustainable, innovative businesses in Aotearoa. As a co-founder of Auld Farm Distillery, I value collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and supporting women in leadership, especially in traditionally male-dominated industries like agriculture and distilling. The network offers an opportunity to both learn from others and share our own journey of building a seed-to-sip business from the ground up. I’m especially keen to contribute to conversations around rural entrepreneurship, innovation, and legacy-building in family-run enterprises.My gallery
My point of difference
Auld Farm Distillery stands apart through our authentic seed-to-sip approach—growing, harvesting, distilling, and bottling all on our fifth-generation Southland farm. Unlike most spirit producers, we grow nine distinct grain varieties, including heritage and specialty grains, allowing us to craft uniquely expressive spirits. We are deeply terroir-driven, with every bottle reflecting the soil, climate, and character of our Southern landscape. Our Ocean’s Keep Gin, infused with Bluff oysters and local botanicals, captures the essence of Aotearoa’s southern coast. By combining traditional farming knowledge, bold innovation, and a strong sense of place, we deliver spirits with true provenance and personality.My latest business news
Auld Farm Distillery is celebrating a significant milestone—our 100th year of family farming in Southland. To commemorate this centenary, we've released New Zealand's first single-grain oat whisky, crafted entirely from oats grown on our farm. This "breakfast whisky" offers rich notes of caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar, reflecting the unique terroir of our land. We’re proud to announce that it recently won Gold at the prestigious New Zealand Spirits Awards, a testament to its exceptional quality and craftsmanship.In addition to this achievement, we’ve opened a welcoming tasting room where visitors can experience our distillery’s seed-to-sip process firsthand. The new space offers a relaxed and intimate environment for guests to explore our spirits and connect with our story.
Further solidifying our position in the industry, we were honored with the Innovation Award at the inaugural Arable Awards in 2022. This recognition highlights our dedication to sustainable farming practices and the development of unique spirits from our diverse grain varieties
