TOH U W H E N UA S E R I E S
Left page: Whenua Awa vineyard in the Upper Awatere Valley, Marlborough. Above: our soil from Whenua Awa vineyard. Next page: Pinot Noir grapes at Whenua Matua vineyard, Upper Moutere.
In 2018, Tohu Wines celebrated a milestone:
Through Tohu Wines we get to take kaupapa
20 years since it was launched as the world’s
Māori to the world every day. We strive to work in
first Māori-owned wine company. Rachel
ways that are kind to people and the environment
Taulelei, Kono CEO, shares the background to
without compromising quality and integrity. We
Tohu’s latest offering, the Whenua series.
have a strong spiritual connection with the land
O
and a responsibility to pass it on in good health to ur vision in founding a wine company was to have a platform to share our culture, story and values with the world. They
future generations. This strong connection with the land, our tūrangawaewae here in Te Tauihu, is what is being
were modest beginnings, but thanks to the mahi
celebrated and explored in our new Tohu Whenua
and vision of pioneers such as James Wheeler and
series of wine.
Mugwi MacDonald, and the hard work and talent
In wine-making there is a concept called
of our winery and vineyard teams, we now create
‘terroir’ – this is the characteristic taste and flavour
award-winning wine that is enjoyed globally.
imparted to a wine in the environment in which
We had a great year last year. We released a
it is raised or created – climate, soil and terrain.
very special, limited edition Rewa Rosé, with
In Māori, we have a term, te wā. Te wā is about the
its stunning label and gift box designed by New
convergence of time and place. It speaks of seasons
Zealand artist Flox. Bruce Taylor, our chief
and time, of areas and regions and space. When the
winemaker also marked his ten-year anniversary
human element is added to te wā, the relationship
with us. In looking ahead for his next challenge, he
between people, land, the seasons and light result
started working on a concept of a range dedicated
in a nexus of interconnecting elements. And it’s
to our whenua, our land.
this magic convergence and our connection to the
With Tohu we are proud that we can take our own grapes from our vineyards, to our winery, to the people who buy and drink our wine.
land where we grow our grapes that is celebrated in the Whenua series. Each Whenua wine is an expression of the
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