I love: the artisan sustainable brand, Matakana Botanicals, and most of all the ethos of its owner, Danvers Devereux, who has re-imagined the brand from a much-loved classic that his mother Colyn Devereux began 25 years ago; Les Floralies.
Les Floralies is a brand we all grew up with; it was the posh gift to give people and everyone had bowls of scented cones and wood shavings in their homes. Its French name lent an air of European sophistication that Kiwis loved back then. Now, of course, we are proud of New Zealand place names and heritage in our local products and the name change was just right for the brand – reflecting its location – as Matakana Botanicals.
When brands are produced by the owner in a hands-on manner, with herbs grown on the premises and distilled in a metal still in a shed, when brands have an old bathtub as a keepsake the bath that their mother used to scent woodshavings in, when brands get a mezzanine put in the warehouse to work in to keep staff warm in winter, they cease being merely ‘brands’ and become loved parts of the culture. This is what Matakana Botanicals – and its two brands Earths Organics and Great Barrier Bee Co, have become in the local area. Other local producers brought in hot smoked salmon for our lunch, caught whitebait for our fritters, sausages, and drinks, to share and show off their handiwork. It was stunning – and delicious.
I was lucky enough to head up in a shuttle on a road trip as part of Auckland beauty editors on a famil, to see firsthand the premises, have a tour of the farm and gardens with Danvers, and then enjoy an amazing lunch featuring local artisan produce and wine.
Here are the highlights in photos from the farm tour and lunch visit…
When we arrived we were treated to wines and tonic of the region: Monarch Estate Rose, Kombucha health drink, OBV vineyard, Takatu wine, and fresh juices.
Monarch Estate Rose in hand.
The still in which they put lavender and other herbs.
The Great Barrier Island Bee Co.
They’re going to start making candles here onsite with a combination of the beeswax and soy to make it less soft.
Below: The Man Shed, where many of the great ideas are plotted. there’s also going to be a live jazz concert and wine event here next summer amongst the lavender rows. Amazing.
Tent by Wildernest, for glamping and perfect for weddings and music festivals too.
Beehives
A gorgeous upright fire grill that Danvers had made from a design he’d seen overseas.
Renovated cottage on the property that was so overgrown when he bought the land, you could hardly see a house was even there!
Amazing lunch menu, featuring local artisan produce, fresh seafood, sausages, and wine.
Danvers met The Body Shop creator, Anita Roddick, years before and found her quite ahead of her time and a kindred spirit in terms of sustainable skincare production and Anita signed this quote for him: “To Danvers, Imagination is more important than knowledge. Anita Roddick.”
Matakana Botanicals products on display in the showroom.
Words and photos, Megan Robinson
24 November 2014
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