Tohu Wines has launched Tohu Whenua, a new series of single vineyard wines. Each varietal within the Whenua series carries the name of the vineyard it originates from – either Whenua Awa, in Upper Awatere Valley, Marlborough or Whenua Matua in Upper Moutere, Nelson. The range will include eight wines including a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling Albariño and Pinot Blanc.
“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,” Bruce Taylor, Tohu chief winemaker said. “The two vineyards have very different characteristics and therefore produce very distinct flavours in the wines. The Tohu Whenua wines are made from select parcels of land that represent the true characteristics of the land and can be traced to the individual blocks where the grapes are sourced from.”
Taylor added that the idea was to capture the unique characteristics of each vineyard and let the wine speak for itself with minimal interference. “The grapes for the Whenua series are carefully selected from individual blocks chosen for a harmonious match between the varietal, the soil, the climate, altitude and topography,” Mr Taylor says. “From there, the winemaking style is traditional and artisanal, allowing the distinctive characteristics of the grapes and the terroir to speak for themselves.”
Rachel Taulelei, Kono CEO said that the new release was a special moment for the world’s first Māori-owned wine company. The Whenua series is a gift from our land. Each wine in the series is an expression of the uniqueness of our tūranagawaewae, our standing place, and our connection to the land.”
“The Tohu Whenua series is not only about showcasing excellent wine, but it is also about sharing our story, our journey and our values. Manaakitanga is guiding how we are introducing Tohu Whenua to our trade partners. Our sales team are holding personalised tasting sessions all over Aotearoa. They’ll be sharing the stories of the people and the land behind the wine. People who enjoy premium wine also enjoy knowing the background of the wine and the people who have created it.”
