Patsy Bass named as one of New Zealand’s top 50 Women in Food & Drink

Those on the list include leading lights and young up and coming achievers, from across a broad range of industries and sectors that make up the food and drink landscape in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Founded by Kelli Brett, Editor of Cuisine Magazine in 2022, Women in Food and Drink is a national incentive formed to connect all women involved in the food and drink sector across New Zealand, designed to help to network, educate and support each other, while sharing ideas and knowledge.

The judges and those making the nominations, were asked to consider two main things: “How, where and what does each person influence?”, and “How are they contributing to a conversation about our food and drink story of which we can all be proud?”

A tireless ambassador

When hearing that she had been selected, Patsy Bass said she was both “thrilled and more than a little surprised to be included in the list of the top 50”, going on to add “I know that the global Spirits Industry is traditionally considered to be male dominated, but there are a great number of women out there doing exceptional things both in Aotearoa and around the world, and it is wonderful to be recognised as one of them.”

Patsy is the Founder and Chief Executive of one of New Zealand’s largest independent distilleries. She is also a tireless ambassador for the West Coast region and all it has to offer.

Patsy shares the stories that help drive knowledge of innovation, sustainability and local New Zealand ingredients, with both consumers and businesses in the F & B sector.

An inspirational leader

A founding member of Distilled Spirits Aotearoa, Patsy is an inspirational leader who has a great vision for Reefton and the New Zealand Spirits Industry.

Patsy has always understood how sharing the stories behind Reefton Distilling Co.’s people, brands and ethos can provide a powerful tool for change.

Patsy continues to push the boundaries, making a name for herself and her company, with innovative new products year on year. In 2023 Patsy negotiated a deal that saw Reefton Distilling Co. become the first New Zealand Distillery to sell bulk Whisky to the Scots! And in 2024 she made the headlines again with Reefton Distilling Co. becoming the first New Zealand Whisky Distillery, and the first West Coast business, to achieve the international B Corp certification. Awarded for positive governance, financial, environmental and social impact, Patsy hopes that this is a path other businesses in the industry, and the West Coast region, will adopt.

2024 saw another first, when Ngāti Waewae gifted precious Pounamu to the distillery to enable all water, used in the production of their Little Biddy and Moonlight Creek products, to be filtered over Pounamu taking the very spirit of the West Coast to the world.

Patsy believes that smart business looks at a holistic view combining purpose with profit. A core part of Reefton Distilling Co.’s business ethos is working with youth from the local high school and preparing them for the world of work. Their first student has now progressed from labelling their products after school, to becoming a distiller and was recently (in 2024) the youngest person in the world ever, to sit the international Institute of Brewing and Distilling Certificate. Patsy says this is something she is extremely proud of.