Welcome to Dancing Sands
Dancing Sands is a family-run distillery in Golden Bay, New Zealand. We craft award-winning spirits with real ingredients, pure aquifer water, and a commitment to doing things properly. Every bottle is small-batch, sustainable, and made with care you can taste.
Spirits made with real ingredients, handcrafted in Golden Bay
We started Dancing Sands with a simple belief: New Zealand could craft spirits every bit as world-class as those from anywhere else but with integrity, creativity, and a deep respect for the place we call home.
From our distillery in Tākaka, Golden Bay, we create spirits that are clean, bold, and thoughtful. Every bottle reflects our philosophy: use real ingredients, take the time to do it properly, and never cut corners.
Our story
Dancing Sands was founded in 2016 by Sarah and Ben Bonoma, who swapped corporate careers for copper stills and a life less ordinary in Golden Bay.
Sarah brings a scientific precision (she holds a MSc in Genetics), while Ben leads with flavour-driven creativity. Together, they’ve built one of New Zealand’s most respected independent distilleries - proving that care and curiosity are the keys to making spirits that stand apart.
Today, we remain proudly founder-led and family-run, driven by the same ethos that started it all: thoughtful craft, honest ingredients, and a commitment to doing things the right way.
How we make it
At Dancing Sands, good spirits begin with the finest inputs and a refusal to rush.
Real ingredients: No artificial colours or flavours - only clean, natural inputs you can trust.
Pure Golden Bay water: Drawn from ancient aquifers, naturally filtered through marble and limestone.
Vapour distillation: All of our gins are distilled using this method to capture delicate, bright flavours.
Time and care: Every new product goes through up to nine months of testing, tasting, and refining before it’s ready to share.
The result is a portfolio of award-winning spirits that are as considered as they are enjoyable.
Sustainable at heart
We believe great spirits should feel good to drink and good to choose. That’s why sustainability runs through every part of what we do:
Bottles: Made in New Zealand from recycled glass sourced through Auckland’s kerbside collection.
Labels: Printed on FSC® certified stock containing 30% post-consumer waste and Green Seal certified.
Packaging: All shipping boxes are home compostable or recyclable and printed with water-based inks. Our 700ml gift boxes are fully recyclable.
Corks: Etched with our sun motif, made from real cork and natural wood with no varnish or sealant - home compostable too.
By keeping production local and materials natural, we reduce waste, cut freight emissions, and ensure every touchpoint reflects our values.
Our team
We’re a small, close-knit team who believe the best spirits are made when everyone has a voice. There’s no rigid hierarchy here - every perspective and every palate counts.
From backgrounds as diverse as baking, bartending and design, our people share a common trait: curiosity and care. Together, we craft spirits we’re proud to pour, and even prouder to share with you.
Real ingredients
Flavours and colours that come from nature, not a lab.
Crafted in Golden Bay
Small-batch spirits from one of New Zealand’s most iconic regions.
Award-winning spirits
Recognised internationally for exceptional taste and quality.
Sustainably made
Packaged in recyclable, compostable materials with nothing wasted.