Hawaii’s hidden gems embody a number of wineries and distilleries

There are numerous iconic sights for guests to Hawaii. From Waikiki Seaside and Diamond Head to Waimea Canyon Kauai to Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii Island to Haleakala Crater on Maui, many of those sights are recognized and marveled at by individuals everywhere in the world. All have been lined over time in pages right here on the HAT Weblog. However we’re discussing right here “Hawaii’s hidden gems”, surprising delights most wouldn’t look forward to finding in a tropical paradise.

Hawaii’s hidden gems – wines and whiskeys

There was a time when Hawaii needed to import nearly all its wines and spirits. Again within the day, each Mai Tai, each Blue Hawaii, each Zombie was concocted with imported rum. After all, sugar was king for effectively over 100 years right here and Hawaiians made and marketed their very own hooch known as “Okolehao”, which interprets loosely to “iron backside”. However there was by no means sufficient made to serve the ever-growing tourism business.

That’s modified lately and now there are a handful of small-market distilleries making world-class vodka, rum, and whiskey. Now in Hawaii, you may get your tropical trip swerve on and “purchase native”. On Maui, there’s Ocean Vodka Natural Farm and Distillery and Sea Spirits Organic Farm and Distillery. Oahu is residence to Kohana Distillery (rum) and Ko’olau Highway Distillery (whiskey). Koloa Rum Distillery on Kauai is a well-liked vacation spot for rum lovers, as are Kuleana Rum Works and the 12th Hawaii Distiller on Hawaii Island.

There are different distillers in Hawaii, too, and the consultants at Hawaii Aloha Journey are glad that can assist you discover and go to them.

Upcountry Maui and Hawaii Island are…wine nation? Yep.

In the case of winemaking, it’s honest to say that Hawaii isn’t well-known for it. No, that distinction goes to historical vineyards in Europe and posh wineries in California, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. Or wherever else. However wonderful winemaking is a factor in Hawaii, and it’s one thing to probe for guests who search greater than social media footage of their toes within the sand or drink of their hand for an epic sundown meme.

Volcanic soil is sweet for rising grapes. So are cool temperatures. There’s each on the slopes of Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island and Haleakala Crater on Maui.

Maui Wine cultivates a handful of varietal grapes on Haleakala’s southern slope, providing reds and whites which might be distinctive (we assume as a result of we actually don’t actually know good wine though we’ve toured snooty vineyards in California and France). They began within the 1970s. The purpose is that wonderful wines are cultivated and perfected on the Valley Isle. Maui Wine makes wine out of pineapple, too, and honey. And different stuff like natural tea.

Volcano Vineyard on Hawaii Island makes really wonderful wine as effectively, with grapes ripened within the wealthy soil of the adjoining Hawaii Volcanoes Nationwide Park. They make wine out of guavas and different tropical fruits. Oh, and so they develop their very own natural tea as effectively.

We’ve by no means made a secret of our lack of precise meals or wine critic credentials right here on the HAT Weblog. However we do know good and honest products and establishments that adhere to the notion of doing proper for the land and the neighborhood. Hawaii’s winemakers and distillers are actually amongst them. We’ll assist you to get there.