“I love gin, it’s been a favourite drink of mine since I was a teenager,” admits Jo James, co-founder of Taranaki’s Juno Gin.
The world loves it, too. Since launching Juno’s signature Extra Fine gin in 2017, husband and wife duo Jo and Dave James have claimed a stunning array of international awards for both flavour and packaging. The intricately designed bottle captures Jo and Dave’s production ethos of allowing mother nature to shine. The logo features the divine descending to Earth, intertwining the spiritual with the natural. It’s Juno picking up where mother nature has left off.
“We chose Taranaki as an ideal distiller’s playground,” explains Dave, “with access to pure mountain water and an abundance of wonderful local growers of fresh botanicals.” The resulting products have picked up international awards including silvers at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and London’s International Wine & Spirit Competition. Juno’s signature Extra Fine being so acclaimed has allowed the couple the freedom to explore their creative energies through their seasonal gins – releasing different seasonal gins each year.
As New Zealand’s artisan gin industry flourishes, Jo and Dave have taken a lead role in ensuring it is as self-sufficient as possible. Juniper berries make up at least 50% of any gin’s botanicals, but, with no local juniper production, we’ve always had to import them to New Zealand. So, this year, Juno partnered with Massey University to conduct a nationwide search for juniperus communis, which trended as an ornamental shrub back in the 60s and 70s. “We want to set up a legacy here in New Zealand,” says Dave. “We did some research with Massey University and found there are no commercial orchards of juniper in the world.” The Great New Zealand Juniper Hunt found 19 trees that Massey University believe could help form the genesis of a viable homegrown juniper industry.
Dave and Jo James have three core business values: make it fun, make it together and make it right. It seems to be working and there are people knocking on the door at their New Plymouth distillery to see the makers in action, sample their extensive range and hear their story. Distillery tour dates are located on their website and they have just released their 2019 collection in a Christmas gift-ready display pack. Named Women of Spirit, which references the eye-catching artwork, the four-pack includes: Summer (red clover and tangelos, which won gold at the NZ Spirits Awards), Autumn (crabapples, cinnamon and lemon balm), Winter (honey and lemon – a collaboration with Egmont Honey) and Spring (yuzu and pink peppercorn).
Discover Juno Gin at all good bottle stores and online with free delivery nationwide: www.junogin.co.nz
