Liz Scott and Glen Cadwallader to sell their award-winning Waiheke Distilling Co and multimillion-dollar Cowes Bay land – Society Insider

The isolated destination is on Waiheke’s east end, 45 minutes’ drive from the Matiatia ferry terminal, or 20 minutes from the ferry which berths at Man O’ War Bay around the point from Cowes Bay.

The remote part of Waiheke is where the island’s first hotel, called Cowes, was built back in the 1890s.

Aerial photo of the land before Liz Scott and her husband, Glen Cadwallader created Waiheke Distilling Co.

The couple are asking $9.2 million for Waiheke Distilling Co (WDC), which includes the land, buildings and business, and $5.5m for the title below, which consists of 7.76ha on the water at Cowes Bay.

“We purchased the land on the ridge on Cowes Bay Rd eight years ago due to its serenity and its awe-inspiring vista over the Hauraki Gulf Islands,” Scott tells Society Insider.

“The blank canvas it presented enabled us to establish a garden-to-glass inspired spirits company and to open the gates to share the special magic of the island’s east end.”

How the site looks now.

Also on Cowes Bay Rd is the home of Auckland real estate titan Megan Jaffee and her husband, renowned cardiologist Dr Warwick Jaffe, who purchased Waiheke’s iconic Sculpture Park from arts philanthropists Jo and John Gow in 2024 for an estimated $17.5m. The Jaffes’ 13-hectare plot has its own private bay.

Scott and Cadwallader’s property on the ridge was purchased from rich-listers Sean and Beverley Donnelly.

Glen Cadwallader and Liz Scott relax on the ridge at their Waiheke distillery.

Scott and Cadwallader became friendly with the Donnellys soon after moving on to the ridge. The very private couple had for many years wanted to sell their magnificent 31ha private estate, in the bay below WBC, for $30m.

The special relationship resulted in the Donnellys, who had already divided their land into four titles, selling what was then called Pikau Bay to Scott and Cadwallader for an undisclosed sum, estimated to have been nearly $26m.

Scott and Cadwallader created another two titles, the last of which is now up for sale in what has been described as a small, gated community of owners who value their anonymity.

The view from Waiheke Distilling Co from the Cowes Bay ridge.

“Both the ridge and the bay property are adjacent, and for sale either together or separately. Both offer access to Cowes Bay, a mooring, as well as a large jetty, two boat ramps and helicopter landing facilities,” Scott says.

“Over the past eight years, on the ridge we have established all the gardens, repurposed the existing buildings and built the distillery and a separately accessed modern and private four-bedroom dwelling.”

The jetty at Cowes Bay on Waiheke.

The extensive gardens grow the botanicals for the gin, and there is a restaurant, garden bar and The Woolshed, for private guided tastings and events.

Cadwallader has been the lead distiller; his late father, Barry Cadwallader, distilled spirits as a hobby for 40 years.

Guests in the garden bar at Waiheke Distilling.

The botanical passion comes from Scott, who also brought the commercial nous to the vision.

Scott, whose career has been in property management, is the former general manager of Hengyi Pacific NZ, which built Auckland’s tallest residential building, The Pacifica.

The 57-level luxury apartment tower in Auckland’s CBD was completed in 2020 and cost approximately $300m to build.

The boutique distillery has done a range of collaborations, most recently with Auckland’s tallest rooftop bar, Bar Albert, and the JW Marriott further down Albert Street, as well as Waiheke winery and restaurant Poderi Crisci, where specially blended gins were bottled.

Inside the Woolshed at Waiheke Distilling Co. Photo / Waihekedistilling.co.nz

In 2022, Waiheke Distilling Co. ventured into the UK market after an approach by St James House to be an editorial partner for Strive for Perfection: The Official Platinum Jubilee Edition – an official publication for the International Club for Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiasts.

Scott travelled to London for the book launch, where she was proud to showcase the distillery’s range.

Accolades followed. At the 2023 London Spirits Competition, WDC claimed Best in Show and Gold for their Horopito Spice Vodka, and Silver and Bronze for their other entries. WDC’s artisan RTD range also earned 94 points out of 100 from UK-based International Drinks Specialists.

Since then, the boutique Waiheke Island distillery has secured listings with some of the UK’s most respected specialist retailers, including Speciality Drinks, Whisky Exchange, and Masters of Malt. The brand is currently running a cocktail residency with New Zealand-born chef and sommelier Mel Brown, who is the founder of Brixton bistro and wine shop The Laundry.

The beachfront landholding is home to rare kakas and native forest. Scott says she’s excited that the forest is expected to be home to kiwi in the not-too-distant future, after they were released nearby on the island.

Scott and Cadwallader intend to continue living on Waiheke and are looking forward to some rest and recreation. They hope whoever buys their distillery will continue to grow the brand with their small, talented team.

Party People of the Week

Aka Rooftop launch at Radisson Red

Auckland’s newest hotel, Radisson Red Auckland on Lorne St, officially opened its doors with a party at its new rooftop bar and restaurant Aka last Wednesday night.

Guests were welcomed with a champagne arrival at the lobby level, before going to the 15th-floor rooftop, where Aka owners John and Michael Chow greeted guests.

Radisson Red Auckland general manager Reinout Engel (left) and Michael Chow at the official launch of Radisson Red and Aka. Photo / Jerome Warburton

Broadcaster Wilhelmina O’Keeffe MCed, while guests enjoyed cocktails and a taste of Aka’s menu by head chef Edberg Loh. Cassie Henderson performed a live set of her music.

Guests included wellness couple Marc Ellis and Mibella Villafana, motoring influencer Taylor Serage, model and musician Gregory Hunter, Red Room Wellness studio manager Charlie Francis, PĀMU jewellery founder Alicia Haszard, fashion stylists Levi Tan and Troi Atkins, fashion influencer Jess Molina, content creators Fili Tapa and Simone Anderson, photographer Abigail Dell‘Avo and Devonport Car Co. owner Lewis Rowe.

The following evening, the Chow brothers hosted an official opening with guests including former Prime Minister Sir John Key, current Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, Minister of Trade Todd McClay, former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges and NZME editorial director of NZME special reports Fran O’Sullivan.

Troi Atkins and Taylor Serage. Photo / Jerome Warburton Maya Silwood, Georgia Payne and Charlie Francis. Photo / Jerome Warburton Simone Anderson, Alicia Haszard and Lewis Rowe. Photo / Jerome Warburton Abigail Dell’Avo and Levi Tan. Photo / Jerome Warburton Sam Cowley-Lupo, Jess Molina, Tony Collins and Terese Tomlins. Photo / Jerome Warburton Sonielle and Synthia Bahati. Photo / Jerome Warburton Arna Kennedy and Franceska Marsic. Photo / Jerome Warburton Varsha Reddy. Photo / Jerome Warburton Clementine Hutchison and Sylvia Peace. Photo / Jerome Warburton Cassie Henderson performs at the official launch of Radisson Red and Aka. Photo / Jerome Warburton

Ricardo Simich has been with the Herald since 2008 where he contributed to The Business Insider. In 2012 he took over Spy at the Herald on Sunday, which has since evolved into Society Insider. The weekly column gives a glimpse into the worlds of the rich and famous.