Maui, though not a particularly large island, boasts several very distinct regions, each with its own unique climate, geography and vegetation. We spent one day of our vacation exploring the Upcountry, an area stretching north to south along the western flank of Haleakala, the island’s dominating extinct volcano at the center. It long supported cattle ranching and today produces a bounty of fruits (Kula strawberries) and vegetables that appear on local menus and at farmers markets. It’s also a haven for a host of sustainable businesses, galleries and artists that would likely require at least a week to take in. Here are four that we enjoyed on our daytrip upcountry: Hawaii Sea Spirits Organic Farm & Distillery sits on a bench of land with stunning views over all of West Maui. Here, organically and sustainably grown sugar cane provides one of the basic elements for the Ocean Organic Vodka and Deep Island Hawaiian Rum produced here. We enjoyed a tour of the grounds and the distillery as well as a tasting of the spirits. Deep ocean mineral water is blended with the only vodka in the world made with organic sugar cane; very smooth! We stopped at Surfing Goat Dairy next. A German couple retired 12 years ago to Maui and started the dairy, one of only two goat dairies in the state, and they produce a delicious variety of fresh chevres, aged gourmet cheeses and quarks. One can tour the farm, order one of several cheese-tasting plates, order from a lunch menu of sandwiches and small plates, and top it all off with either delectable chocolate truffles or decadent ice cream. It provided the perfect spot for a lunch break with a laid-back, welcoming vibe. We trekked further up the slopes to visit the glassworks of the Worcester family. Husband and wife Bill and Sally along with their son Mike and his wife Kelly have been blowing glass since 1969. They built their working studio and gallery, creating many of the tools and elements from scratch to meet their needs. Bill welcomed us on a day when the furnaces were not lit, coming off a couple of months of repair and maintenance. He was a delightful, easy-going host who really took the time to chat with us and explain the workings of his studio. We drank in the stunning colors and shapes of the works in the gallery,   and I am delighted to be able to display son Mike’s Snail with Barnacles   in my home. We concluded our day at Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm as low clouds and mist swirled around us. The fog and dim light lent a moodiness to gardens that boast a host of indigenous and non-native trees, shrubs, flowers   and ground covers. The lavender had been harvested for the most part, but we enjoyed wandering the grounds and then perusing all sorts of lavender-themed items in the gift shop. We only scratched the surface of Upcountry offerings and would love to return for further meanderings. I’d highly recommend you add the area to your list of places to visit on a Maui excursion. — Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor