Southland residents and visitors will soon be raising a toast to celebrate the opening of a New Zealand-first carbon-neutral gin distillery.
Seriously Good Chocolate Company owner Jane Stanton last week announced plans to launch the Bluff Gin brand in a newly established distillery at Ocean Beach, on the fringes of the township.
Ms Stanton said the plant, expected to open in October, would be powered by renewable energy.
The condensing columns would be cooled by seawater through a custom-designed, gravity-fed, heat-exchange unit from water supplied from the neighbouring Ocean Beach aquaculture plant.
"It’s the only one of its kind in New Zealand because of the carbon-neutral bits and pieces that are going on with it."
The project would also work as a food hub in the region with the new distillery and a cafe-restaurant.
A self-sufficient fresh food supply and collaboration with local suppliers were also part of the vision, Ms Stanton said.
"It’s all about looking after the South — the people of the South — and telling the story of Bluff, because it has such amazing heritage."
By Toni McDonald
