Maui's Ocean Vodka Craft Distillery Tours Draw Tourists

For more than seven years, the Smith Family has brought Ocean Vodka from the Island of Maui to the far reaches of the world. Fans of Ocean Vodka can now visit the craft distillery set on the company's 80-acre organic farm for public tours and tastings. The new distillery was built to support the family's mission: to create a superior, organic, value-added agricultural product from Hawaii that supports the local economy, competes globally on quality, operates with environmental responsibility and raises awareness for oceanic conservation. More than five thousand visitors from around the world have toured the Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Craft Distillery in Kula since the April Grand Opening. Located a short drive from Maui’s Kahului International Airport, Ocean Vodka is produced about 1,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean, where visitors can experience panoramic views of the North and South Shores of Maui, the West Maui Mountains and 10,000-foot Mount Haleakala. “Our farm experience gives people an opportunity to learn about organic farming and sustainable production from a business that is expanding internationally,” says Shay Smith, CEO. “Our tours add a special agritourism dimension to the traditional Hawaii vacation. People come to Maui from all over the world and discover the refreshing taste of Ocean Vodka. We are proud to be producing one of the most unique and highest quality vodkas in the world.” Tours of the Ocean Vodka Farm and Craft Distillery include: sustainable and organic farming practices through abundant fields of organic sugar cane; a local history of Hawaii sugar cane farming with species identification; organic spirits distillation with state-of-the-art equipment, including a 60-foot tall column still; and Green manufacturing processes in a 6,000 square foot solar-powered bottling center. Certified USDA Organic and 100% gluten-free, Ocean Vodka uses a proprietary column distillation process, blending it with ocean mineral water, sourced from a depth of 3,000 feet off the Kona Coast of the Big Island. Naturally occurring in the ocean water, the minerals calcium, magnesium and potassium give Ocean Vodka a distinctive taste and enhance flavors when Ocean Vodka is mixed with fresh juices. The Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery utilizes solar panels to power 100% of the operations of the distillery and facility. The sugar cane is organically farmed on volcanic soils without the use of synthetic pesticides or herbicides, and mature sugar cane stalks are hand-harvested for processing. The Martini Garden, a garden designed specifically for martini lovers, highlights local ingredients such as Kula lavender, local citrus, passion fruit, pineapple and strawberries. Since inception in 2005, Ocean Vodka has given a portion of proceeds to oceanic preservation and conservation causes, such as Oceana and Surfrider Foundation.  The suggested retail price for Ocean Vodka is $32.99.