A longing for the exquisite chocolate of their Argentinian homeland led owners Alex Gimenez and Lorena Giallonardo to establish Patagonia Chocolates in 2005, so they could deliver the very best artisan delicacies to their local community and visitors while keeping true to their South American roots. 14 years later, Patagonia Chocolates are chocolatiers, ice cream makers and coffee roasters with five cafes located in the Southern Lakes of New Zealand. This is their story (so far)…
2005
Patagonia Chocolates is established and our first chocolate shop is opened on Buckingham Street, Arrowtown in July.
With demand increasing we open our second shop in December on the Queenstown lakefront and begin serving our signature hot chocolate.
2006
We introduce the dessert restaurant concept to the Queenstown region and extend our Queenstown shop opening hours into the evening.
2007
Our third shop is opened on Ramshaw Lane, Arrowtown and we start creating our own ice cream and sorbet on site.
2009
A new kiosk at Queenstown International Airport is opened serving coffee, chocolates and ice cream.
A production plant is set up in Queenstown to centralise our ice cream and chocolate making.
2010
We introduce Patagonia ‘On the Go’ – a fully self-contained caravan serving coffee, juices, smoothies and ice cream at events in the region.
2012
The Ramshaw Lane shop is upgraded to feature a sit-in cafe offering our full breakfast and dessert menu.
In September a new cafe is opened on Ardmore Street, Wanaka with the addition of a coffee roaster on site enabling us to create our own unique blend of coffee.
2014
Our airport kiosk is relocated and we open a brand new airport cafe offering our full menu with the addition of a new line of savoury food exclusive to Queenstown International Airport.
2015
Our brand new website is launched enabling people to purchase our chocolates and coffee online.
2016
The Ice Creamery & Chocolaterie, our fifth store opens on Rees Street, Queenstown. The new premises has all the traditional Patagonia offerings plus we've introduced create your own ice cream sticks and a chef's cabinet with even more decadent desserts for you to enjoy. Our upstairs lounge offers spectacular lake views and as you relax with a delicious treat you can watch our ice cream makers and chocolatiers at work with our open to view chocolate room.
"Whether it’s chocolate, ice cream or coffee we’re truly passionate about what we do. Our small team of chocolatiers, chefs, ice cream makers, coffee roasters and baristas take the utmost pride in every treat, dessert or drink that they make with a focus on fresh, quality ingredients, and traditional, handcrafted production.
We’ve stayed true to our South American origin offering customers a true experience of flavours, traditions and even language with the likes of Tramontana ice cream, dulce de leche, alfajors and churros.
It’s been an amazing ten years doing what we love and what we are passionate about but everything we do is only possible because of you, our lovely customers."
