Emerald Island Distillery hits the markets after mysterious inspiration

These local producers have brought a bit of boutique gin to town but you might find it in a slightly unusual place.

Viv Shorter and Frans Bienefelt have established Emerald Island Distillery at their Emerald Beach hinterland property. They join a growing list of producers making boutique beers, wines and spirits on the Coffs Coast.

About 200 years after sailors spotted what they thought was an island somewhere between Antarctica and Tasmania, their voyage inspired a couple’s own journey into the wonderful world of gin.

The Emerald Island has forever remained a mystery but Viv Shorter and Frans Bienefelt have used it as inspiration for their gin distillery at Emerald Beach.

“(Frans’ family) are a clan of Dutch mariners and all mariners know the mystery of the Emerald Island,” Viv said.

“I was raised with a family fairy tale – written by my great grandfather – based around the tale of the Emerald Island.

“Though the story of The Emerald Island was never published, the stunning artworks from the fairy-tale covered my bedroom walls.”

It took Viv Shorter and Frans Bienefelt about a year and a half to get their gin recipes right.

Since discovering that connection they have shared many others including a love of craft beer, and now, gin, after Viv first fell in love with boutique Australian gins in, of all places, Tasmania.

This year Emerald Island Distillery has become a household name at local markets after they spent a year-and-a-half recipe-testing.

The couple have a regular stall at the Harbourside Markets, Coffs Growers Market and Bellingen Community Markets but said it took a long time to be able to jump through the legal hoops to do so.

Gin is a unique offering among handicrafts, preserves and cured meats.

Part of the appeal of selling their wares at the market comes from being able to meet and talk to the community about the gins they love.

Viv and Frans join a growing list of Coffs Coast brewers and distillers who are committed to providing boutique products.

Emerald Island Distillery have five gins: Berry Slow, Premium Dry, Berry Slow, Mirage and Barrel Aged.

Along with King Tide Brewery in the Coffs Harbour CBD there are several new operations on the horizon, including a new brewery at Woolgoolga.

“We feel very fortunate, not only to have the privilege of living in Emerald Beach, but to also share our passion with other like-minded brewers, distillers and wineries in the region.

“The level of professionalism and quality that the Coffs Coast is producing, is a credit to all involved.

“Never before has acquiring quality products and dining out been so easy. Coffs was crying out for quality and the artisan market has delivered.

The thirst for this type of product has been discussed in the past, with one of Coffs Harbour’s newest bars focusing exclusively on natural wines and boutique beers.

Slo Vino And’s Max Phillips told The Coffs Coast Advocate in December that now more than ever people wanted to know what was going into their products and where they were coming from.

Check out Emerald Island Distillery’s website for more information.