Trail 4

New Plymouth - North

Hop on a mini van with a friend or two and visit...

Zoa Liquor

Zoa Vodka and Zoa liqueurs are an elegant fusion of the unique flavours of New Zealand, including Manuka Honey Liqueur, Gold Kiwifruit Liqueur, and Feijoa Liqueur.  Blair, the creator of these delectable drinks, has been perfecting his technique for over 30 years.  Zoa carefully distill five bottles of wine and use Taranaki sprint water to create each bottle of liqueur, capturing just the very finest flavours from the purest ingredients.  Their signature Zoa Vodka was Awarded GOLD in the 2023 NZ Spirits awards and the Manuka Honey Liqueur won GOLD San Fransisco World Spirits Competition 2023, so these tasty beverages are certainly worth a try!  Blair will give you a sample of two cocktails; a feijoa mojito with vodka and a gold kiwifruit liqueur cocktail.

Natural Fare Herbs

A staple brand in most supermarkets around the North Island, Russell and his son Toby grow their Natural Fare Herbs in 11,000 square meters of glasshouses in New Plymouth.  From the roadside, you would never know there was such an operation, but once you step inside the huge glasshouses, the sight and smell are just glorious!  Russell has been doing this for 42 years, so he knows a thing or two!  They grow 28 different types of herbs, 7 different salad greens and 6 types of lettuce.  In the morning, their staff cut for the local cafés, restaurants and supermarkets and in the afternoon they focus on orders going out around the North Island, sometimes packing up to 200 different combinations of greens and herbs!  Russell says his favourite herb in Marjoram for its smell, whereas Toby likes Watercress for its versatility and the peppery taste it provides in soups, salads and sauces.   Its the perfect place to be on a cold winters day - warm and aromatic.  

North Egmont Meats - Certified BioGro Organic

Greg and Deborah, both from dairy farming parents and grandparents, run a certified organic BioGro farm in Egmont Village.   They are a humble couple who love what they do and the animals they breed and raise on farm.   Turning their farm to organic was a natural thing for them and their values around care for the land and animals.   As well as producing their organic meat, they also milk 50 cows and grow medicinal herbs to create health and beauty products using their own stills and hydrosols - these are used to help heal human as well as animal ailments.   They are excited to share their slice of paradise and talk through their everyday processes and plans for the future.  There will be a BBQ humming for you to try some of their glorious organic beef.  Deborah will also provide some samples of her herbal products.  

IncaFé

Award winning coffee and a sustainably focused business, IncaFé Coffee is roasted in New Zealand’s first Toitū carboNZero certified roastery in New Plymouth and packaged in compostable bags.  IncaFé Organic Coffee is the ultimate blend of quality and sustainability, with co-founders Carmen and Joop also putting great emphasis on fairtrade and supply chain transparency.   They source their beans directly from remote plantations in South America and Indonesia and pay above market rates for quality.  When travel allows, it is important to them to visit their plantations and keep a close relationship with their growers.  They will tell you a good few stories about their visits and 'adventures'(!) while travelling and you'll get a great insight into how their core values and dedication to 'doing things the right way' has lead to this local business to complete in the global coffee market and becoming a leading supplier of quality coffee to cafés around New Zealand.  This certainly is an inspiring and uplifting story.  They will of course also provide you all with a delicious coffee to sip on, while take a tour around their roastery.  

Bratwurst Bros

Bratwurst Bros mix their love of good, honest food and New Zealand’s freshest ingredients to create all natural German Sausages. All products are handcrafted at their butchery in Uruti, including manuka smoked bacon and cheese.  The creator of this delicious German Sausage is Patrick Lachmann who after relocating to Taranaki from Germany, has discovered the perfect recipe, simply out of a need to satisfy his own craving for tasty Bratwurst.  He uses only meat, herbs & spices, mixed with love and respect for the humble sausage. No fillers, additives or preservatives, just quality, natural NZ pork.  He uses the best meat from the neck or belly, not just the leftovers, with herbs & spices to enhance the flavour.   You will visit Patrick and wife Nathalie at their new butchery shop and rest stop in Uruiti, where you will of course taste this juicy German Sausage along with a selection of other products the couple have developed.

Lunch Venue - Lepperton Cafe

Lepperton Café offers great food and coffee using fresh ingredients from as many Taranaki suppliers as they can.  Enjoy lunch here in this peaceful setting with an alcoholic beverage or soft drink.