There’s wool, and there’s wool done right.

ZQ is a wool certification standard that stands for better quality – for the animals, for the planet, for you. Established in 2006, it is the world’s leading sustainable, ethical, and traceable wool. Dedicated to long term partnerships and sustainability, ZQ works with like-minded Kiwi farmers, industry partners, manufacturers and brands all around the world.

Here at Swanndri, we’re proud to source wool from ZQ certified New Zealand wool growers. The best of the best, from the best place in world to grow wool. It’s good to be working with farmers and partners who share the same values and commitment to quality and sustainability.

Although Swanndri and Reefton Distilling Co. craft quite different products, we’ve got a lot in common. Collaborating on a limited edition release of Little Biddy Gin seemed to come about quite naturally. After Swanndri came to visit the Reefton Distilling Co. during a photoshoot back in September 2020, both teams noticed the similarities in our values and approaches to bringing our respective products to life, and an idea was born. The result is a Limited Edition Little Biddy Gin bearing the iconic Swanndri red and black check – a well-loved pattern often favoured by Reefton Distilling Co. Ambassadors and Water Prospectors Nigel and Steffan MacKay.

There’s nothing worse than getting wet, right? If you think it’s a bit of a niggle now, imagine what it was like for sailors on the high seas or farmers at the far edge of nowhere back in the 1700s.

Back then, sailors, fishermen and anyone else working in foul weather would smear their clothing with oil (or sometimes tar) to help keep them warm and dry. It did a job. But it made clothing heavy, it didn’t last long and it wasn’t breathable.

Then, in 1898, the first modern oilskin garment was made. And what-do-you-know, it was made right here in New Zealand.