The Husk Farm Distillery has officially opened and is Australia’s first paddock-to-bottle agricole rum distillery. The single-estate distillery is located on the Tweed River, Tumbulgum, Northern NSW with views across the Valley to Wollumbin Mt Warning and beyond.
As we locals know, the Tweed Valley is nestled within the eroded core of an ancient shield volcano, known as the Green Caldera, and with an abundance of rich red volcanic soil the region is home to a growing agrifood industry. The Husk Farm Distillery is situated on a 60-hectare farm with grazing cattle, sugar cane, and twelve hectares of uncleared remnant rainforest. The Messenger family who own and operate the farm distillery are committed to the protection of this important rainforest.
Distiller and founder Paul Messenger says, ‘We follow sustainable practices growing the raw materials for our rum and feeding the waste streams from both rum and gin back to our happy herd of cattle. What they can’t eat becomes nutrient-rich compost to go back on our rainforest plantings, crops, and gardens. Our fertile land and mild climate, along with our local cane varieties, our people, and methods of production define our provenance and give our rum its unique terroir,’ Messenger says.
The brand-new distillery will house a cellar door, cocktail bar, and Planter’s cafe. The cocktail list will change seasonally and focus on showcasing Husk’s spirits together with native bushfood and locally growth produce. First up is the winter menu – expect flavours
including roasted wattle seed, flamed lemon myrtle, and lilli pilli.
Venue manager Andrew Jones says, ‘We are committed to using local produce and supporting the farmers of the region. The menu has been crafted to complement the cellar door with the freshest ingredients the region has on offer.’ From loaded grazing boards to Ink Gin and Husk Pure Cane chocolates paired with Blackboard coffee, Planters cafe has a relaxed plantation style with dreamy views across the open green pastures to the Tweed River and Wollumbin (Mt Warning).
The Messenger family have teamed up with Tweed bakery ‘Baked@Ancora’ to create a traditional Caribbean ‘rum baba’ cake using Husk Rum. A classic provincial dessert menu will complement the range of spirits on offer at the distillery.
Enjoy a guided tour of Australia’s first paddock-to-bottle Agricole rum distillery and learn how they make their unique spirits. The tour also includes an Ink Gin and tonic on arrival and Husk Rum tasting flight in the Barrel House.
The tours will run from Wednesday till Sunday, at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm, at a cost of $35 per person – a designated driver pack is available upon request.
Book at www.huskdistillers.com/cellardoor.
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