Ep 30 – Stephen McIvor from Moonshiners Distillery
Stephen McIvor is the founder of Moonshiners Distillery, a Dunedin craft distillery producing traditional moonshine, whiskey, vodka and fruit‑infused spirits using natural ingredients and copper pot stills. After suddenly losing the sight in one eye, Stephen went from running a successful firewood and demolition business to rebuilding his life through self‑employment, drawing on his lifelong interest in science and the history of moonshine. Today he handcrafts small‑batch spirits inspired by 80‑year‑old Prohibition‑era recipes and is developing a growing community of customers who love the flavour, story and craftsmanship behind his products.
In this episode, host Julie Woods talks with Stephen about navigating sudden vision loss, finding confidence through the Disability Business Network, and turning a hobby into a business when traditional employment doors closed. Stephen shares how he creates his moonshine flavours, why copper stills matter, and how customer feedback shapes his products. He also reflects on resilience, identity and his dream of growing Moonshiners Distillery into a well‑known craft brand in Aotearoa.
