A Wild Botanical Journey - A Masterclass Workshop of Foraging, Sustainability, Creativity, & Connection

We will be taking a different approach to Rewilding this time around as we delve deep into the knowledge of all things wild. Building our foundations & our connection to nature, we will learn about seasonal foraging, living soils, organic compost and botanical extraction in our intensive 4-day seasonal workshop weekend in the Catlins at River Ridge Retreat.

The team at Rewild Retreats has created an amazing weekend that will take you through various workshops & experiences that cultivate a sense of adventure, curiosity, and a greater connection to the wild within and around you. We start the workshop learning about foraging, the benefits of living soil, how to create organic compost, and incredible fine dining experiences that will nourish your soul.

Jill Mulvaney from Alembics NZ and The Alembics Lab leads us all through a comprehensive range of plant extraction and distillation techniques using seasonal summer organic botanicals found in the region of The Catlins. Taught over two days, this Masterclass is a hands-on and immersive learning experience engaging all your senses and helping you cultivate a deeper relationship to the botanicals that we work with.

Read on for a workshop overview.

Summary of Workshops, Talks & Activities:

Introduction to Foraging & Identifying Plant Friends

Talk on Living Soils and How we can integrate this into our daily lives

Prepare a tea ceremony, using traditional methods of macerating medicinal and aromatic herbs for wellness and flavour. Using locally-foraged plants with a history, from underfoot.

How-to-distil a seasonal hydrosol (aromatic water from the still) using a traditional copper still and an aromatic NZ native plant we have harvested and prepared ourselves.

Create a hydrogel using this freshly distilled hydrosol and all natural materials—for use as a cooling, soothing and hydrating serum.

Create a herbal honey.

A distillation of an essential oil from a NZ native, using a modern still.

Prepare a balm using resins, beeswax and propolis and essential oils distilled from native plants.

Turn a wine or fruit ferment into a clear spirit

Prepare a botanical gin using classic gin botanicals, and those we source from underfoot —a unique blend, reflecting the environment and season. 

Prepare botanical bitters for digestive health and well being

Make your own personalised blend of botanical gin using single, botanical quintessences

Where we'll be based:

YOUR HOME FOR THE WEEK: River Ridge Retreat / The Catlins



The Investment: Includes private or shared accomodation at River Ridge Retreat Monday to Thursday (13th to 16th January 2025), 2 day Alembics Masterclass Workshop (Tuesday & Wednesday), All meals catered by Bush to Buffet (breakfast, lunch platter & dinner), Foraging tour & workshop, Workshop / Talk on Healthy Soils & the Importance of Microbes, guided nature tours & movement/meditation practices. 



What is Tiered Pricing?


This is an invitation to reflect on your access to resources and privilege, the value of the work put into these retreats and what you'll get out of it, what you can genuinely afford, and what you might pay for in a comparable retreat experience. By committing to what is truly within your means you make it possible for others to show up within theirs and we are all grateful for this.:

1st Tier - $1650- For those who are financially well-resourced, pay it forward pricing that allows us to offer a scholarship spot on this educational experience.

2nd Tier - $1450 - For those on medium incomes and access to financial resources

3rd Tier - $1250 - For those on low incomes, caring responsibilities and from marginalized communities.

Flexible payment plans/Afterpay available for all Tiers. Email info@rewildretreats.co.nz to book your spot. 



Can't stay the whole week but want to get amongst one or some of the workshops & talks? We've got you covered, here are some options:

Monday - Arrive in the afternoon for an Intro into Foraging & Living Soils - $45 

Tuesday & Wednesday -

OPTION to just attend the distillation workshops Tues & Wed : $950 (lunches provided)

OPTION to just attend 1 day of the Distillation Workshop of your choice: $405 (lunch provided)

Thursday - Workshop on Healthy Soils & the Importance of Microbes 



Feel free to message Kassandra at info@rewildretreats.co.nz or contact Jill @ Alembics NZ for an info pack for more detailed information and daily itineraries.



We are looking forward to this Summer Masterclass Workshop Adventure in The Catlins... Connection with nature in a different way, can't wait!