Koloa Rum Company Breaks Ground on Tasting Room

Koloa Rum Company proudly celebrated the groundbreaking for the construction of what soon will be Hawaii's first and only Destination Rum Tasting Room & Gallery. The Koloa Rum Tasting Room & Gallery will be conveniently located on the grounds of the Kilohana Plantation, nestled between Gaylord's Restaurant and the Plantation Railway Station, adjacent to the new Kalamaku Luau Pavilion. The tasting room will offer island visitors and local residents the opportunity to experience a taste of authentic Hawaiian history, in a truly local, Hawaiian atmosphere.

Lihue,Hawaii (PRWEB) July 2, 2008 -- On Thursday June 26, Koloa Rum Company proudly celebrated the groundbreaking for the construction of what soon will be Hawaii's first and only Destination Tasting Room & Gallery.

The Tasting Room & Gallery will be conveniently located on the grounds of the Kilohana Plantation, nestled between Gaylord's Restaurant and the Plantation Railway Station, adjacent to the new Kalamaku Luau Pavilion. The Tasting Room will offer island visitors and local residents the opportunity to experience a taste of authentic Hawaiian history, in a truly local, Hawaiian atmosphere.

A traditional Hawaiian blessing was conducted by Kumu Sabra Kauka and the event was well attended by many local business leaders and government officials. Koloa Rum is widely recognized as being a truly uniquely Hawaiian product that will serve to provide needed economic diversification, additional employment opportunities and preserve open space.

Koloa Rum Company is a natural fit for Kauai. Waimea was the first point of western contact with the landing of Captain James Cook in 1778, and his ships were laden with barrels and barrels of rum. Then, later in the 1830's, a Sugar Mill was established in Koloa that later became the first successful Sugarcane Plantation in Hawaii. Koloa Rum will be an authentic Hawaiian-made product, utilizing local resources, labor and ingredients. Integral to Rum-making is molasses and sugar. These will be supplied by Gay & Robinson Sugar Plantation, located in Kaumakani.

In addition, Koloa Rum has recently acquired Hawaiian Fruit Specialties, and the venerable Hawaiian Kukui brand Jam & Jelly Factory, first established in 1931. Koloa Rum Company is currently working to strengthen this well known brand and to diversify it's product portfolio, including the newly introduced Hawaiian Kukui Mai Tai Mix. Subsequently, the Kalaheo production facility will accommodate Kauai's first Rum Distiller and Koloa Rum will be a reality.

"Our intention is to create premium Rums and related products that are of the highest quality, ensuring that Koloa Rum will become a household name, recognized around the world for superior taste, quality and flavor," said Greg Schredder, CEO of Koloa Rum Corporation.

Agor Architecture of Lihue is the architect for the project; B&P Construction is the general contractor and Studio 2000 owner, Brigitte D'Annibale will provide overall project design review. The Tasting Room has been designed to be in harmony with the traditional Hawaiian plantation cottage feel of the Kilohana Plantation. The Gallery will also display the works of Raymond Massey and local artists.

The Koloa Rum Company was founded in 2001 to produce world class, small batch, micro distilled, authentic Hawaiian rum on the Island of Kauai. Koloa Rum Corporation is owned by long time Kauai resident Greg Schredder, John Stallcup who lives in Napa, CA and a group of primarily local investors.

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