In 2017, after the classic soul-searching of a mid-life shift, Bec and I found ourselves captivated by a little taste of Italy right here on the Kapiti Coast—limoncello. We met Ingrid Chew, who was producing a remarkably popular local limoncello. From our first sip, we knew it was something special, something we wanted to be a part of.
Limoncello is, of course, a liqueur that calls to mind sunny Italian coastlines. There are many stories of its origin, but my favorite goes something like this: back in the late 1800s, coastal Italians on the Amalfi Coast combined their luscious local lemons with alcohol to create a drink that tasted not only delightful but also offered a little courage for fishermen heading out to sea. While I can’t say for sure it’s true, I love the spirit of it—this drink as a toast to bravery and to the beauty of everyday life.

By 2018, we had taken a leap of faith and purchased Ingrid’s limoncello business. The recipe had been thoughtfully developed by a local restaurateur, and it already had a strong following throughout New Zealand. But we wanted to make it our own, celebrate our local heritage, and make a world-class New Zealand-made limoncello. We had access to beautiful Gisborne lemons and high-quality base spirit from South Waikato. Why stick with the Italian branding when we could create something authentically Kiwi?
And so, our Koakoa Limoncello was born. We chose “Koakoa,” a beautiful Te Reo word meaning "happiness," because it captured what we wanted people to feel when they sipped our liqueur.
Today, Koakoa Limoncello is a staple here at our distillery, and it’s still crafted with the same love for our ingredients. In fact, we peel over 10,000 kg of Gisborne lemons by hand each year to get just the right zest for our batches. By 2023, we needed some extra hands, and so we began inviting local charities to join in the lemon-peeling as a fundraiser. It’s been wonderful—a win-win for us, the charities, and our community, who come together for a fun and meaningful cause.

Now, limoncello is on the rise again, driven by the popularity of the Limoncello Spritz—a light, summery cocktail made with limoncello, prosecco, and a dash of soda water. It’s bright, refreshing, and just a little sparkly, like the sunshine in a glass.
We’re immensely proud to be at the forefront of limoncello production in New Zealand, using the best of our local ingredients and pouring love into every bottle. As summer approaches, I think we can safely say the Limoncello Spritz will be the cocktail of the season.
Cheers to Koakoa, to local love, and to bringing a little more joy into the world!