‘Hokonui’ is a legendary southern spirit first made in the bush clad Southland hills of the same name. Over 50 years of localized Prohibition gave rise to this truly indigenous cottage industry and brought forth some legendary clandestine activity in the hills, gullies and farm sheds around Gore. 

 

Poets have written about it, musicians have sung about it, and Southland has more than its fair share of tall stories regarding the many colourful characters involved in the illicit manufacture and distribution of both good, and bad, ‘Hokonui’. 

 

Food curator Jude Taylor and MLT representative Bob Vercoe will present an early evening event celebrating Southland’s quirky and colourful grain spirit tradition – matched with game–based, and Prohibition-era cuisine in association with the Hokonui Moonshiners Festival Committee and the Mataura Licensing Trust.

 

Spirits from selected southern New Zealand providers will be featured, along with matched horderve style food from the wilds of inland and costal Southland.  Featured of course will be Southland’s own ‘Old Hokonui’, but there will also be representatives from other southern distilleries presenting tastings of their new and exciting lines.

 

Jude Taylor will infuse a wild flavor into her tapas style themed offerings and will also provide a selection of matched food platters using prime Southland produce and whiskey infused delicacies. Finest southern craft beer and Central Otago wine will also feature.  For those of more temperate persuasion, a range of specially blended Temperance Teas and traditional soft drinks will be on hand for your enjoyment.

 

Our 2021 event was held at the Maruawai Centre and it was a great success. This year we will be hosting it in the nearly completed Hokonui Moonshine Museum, so attendees will have an added opportunity to view displays in progress. 

 

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