A wine for the ages
Tohu Wines is the world’s first Māori-owned wine company, and their Tohu Whenua series celebrates the uniqueness of the land, their values and their brand.
IIn Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, and on the Moutere Hills of Nelson, you’ll find Tohu Wines’ two vineyards, Whenua Awa and Whenua Matua, where the grapes for their Whenua series of single vineyard wines are grown. Between the vineyards there are 105 hectares of vines, growing the grapes that will be crafted in the wines in this single vineyard series: sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling, albarino and pinot blanc.
Producing wine since 1998, Tohu Wines celebrated their 20th year in 2018.
“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. Through Tohu Wines we get to take kaupapa Māori to the world every day. We strive to work in ways that are kind to people and the environment without compromising quality and integrity. We have a strong spiritual connection with the land and a responsibility to pass it on in good health to future generations.
“This strong connection with the land, our tūrangawaewae here in Te Tauihu, is what is being celebrated and explored in our new Tohu Whenua series of wine,” says Rachel Taulelei, Kono (the parent company of Tohu Wines) CEO.
“As kaitiaki, guardians of our lands, we have spent a lot of time on our vineyards, understanding and nurturing each of the blocks. We’re using this intimate knowledge of the land to create premium single vineyard wines,” says Bruce Taylor, Tohu chief winemaker.
Positive signs
The word ‘tohu’ has many translations, including a sign, a symbol or a distinguishing feature. For Tohu Wines, it is a symbol of intent as a company that is committed to delivering the best they can for the land and the people they serve.
“The Tohu Whenua series is not only about showcasing excellent wine, it is also about sharing our story, our journey and our values,” says Taulelei. “We have a rich history that has defined the Tohu purpose and vision. We have strong values, including kaitiakitanga [guardianship], manaakitanga [hospitality and kindness] and rangatiratanga [leadership], which we hold as guiding principles in our everyday work, whether you are based at the winery, vineyards or in the sales and marketing team.”
Putting all of these wonderful values together, it’s easy to see how Tohu Wines is truly a gift from the land.
Wildlife is flourishing
Striving to be better kaitiaki or guardians is intrinsic to our being as Māori and also for those who choose to work with the whenua. Kaitiakitanga is key to who we are. Over half the land at Whenua Matua and Whenua Awa, is cared for through the planting of native vegetation. 10,000 seedlings have tripled in natural reproduction, new waterways have attracted indigenous wildlife, such as the pūrangitangi (paradise duck), and biodiversity is contributing to our thriving vines.
The big picture
Kono is the Māori-owned parent company of Tohu Wines. They’re a top 100 New Zealand food and drinks company that farms more than 530 hectares of land and sea. Their brands include Tohu, Kono and Aronui wines, Kono mussels, Kiwa oysters, Annies fruit bars, Tutū cider as well as the sustainable fishing business Yellow Brick Road. Kono also grows apples, pears, kiwifruit and hops.
Crafty benefits
Soils and clay from the Marlborough-based Whenua Awa and Whenua Matua vineyards were used by Marlborough-based potter Debbie Hall to craft dinner plates for the Whenua Series launch.
“The Tohu Whenua series is not only about showcasing excellent wine, it is also about sharing our story, our journey and our values” Rachel Taulelei, Kono CEO