Entrant: Harrier Springs Distillery Ltd
City: Pukekohe
About My Business
We are a husband and wife team from a homestead (Harrier Spring Homestead) in the Waikato. We have a deep passion for relearning old forgotten skills and making products from scratch. We built our 440 litre outdoor wood fired still and mash tun ourselves, to historically correct design, but with the intention of making it beautiful, not just functional. We produce small-batch wood fired spirits and liqueurs from New Zealand malt and heirloom bloody butcher corn which is propagated right here on our homestead to create a growing cycle that keeps our corn seed pure, healthy, and true to its origins. Our fields are nurtured organically utilising manure from our chickens and cows. The manure is fermented over winter ready for fertilising and planting in spring, it is then applied by hand with buckets. Our corn field is covered over winter, so we don't have to spray for weeds. Water is at the heart of distilling — and we want to treat it with care. In our passion for sustainability, we looked at how we could reduce water wastage and developed a closed loop water system. Cooling water is drawn from our on-site spring-fed reservoir, passed through the still’s oak barrel condenser, and returned unchanged to the same source. resulting in zero net usage. We understand that the way we do things is more labour-intensive, but taking the slower path and embracing time-honoured methods brings us immense satisfaction at the end of a hard day's work. From planting the seed to harvesting the crop, and finally crafting the spirit in your glass, every step is guided by care, patience, and tradition. We hope that when you enjoy Harrier Springs Moonshine and Liqueurs, you'll take a moment to slow down, relax, and savour the journey that's gone into every sip.
Why We Should Win The Peoples Choice Award
