Tohu Wines

After eight years of service as our Tumu Whakarae (Chief Executive Officer), Kerensa Johnston will be stepping down from the role in February 2025. It is impossible to overstate the impact Kerensa has had on our organisation and the legacy she leaves. Joe Hanita FCA, CPFA, CMInstD, Wakatū Chief Financial Officer and General Manager Corporate Services, has been appointed Tumu Whakarae from 21 February 2025. We are fortunate to have succession planning at the heart of our organisation, and there is a full and carefully planned transition programme in place to support the change. Read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/g6FhMwKK

We're honoured to announce that the Tohu Whenua Awa Pinot Noir 2021 has been awarded Best Pinot Noir at the 2024 Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Competition. The wine also picked up a Gold medal | 95 points and a Green award alongside this prestigious award. The Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits competition is one of the most respected competitions on the global calendar, attracting top wineries worldwide. This award is not only a win for Tohu but a positive for Pinot Noir from the Awatere - a sub-region in Marlborough known for its cooler, drier and windy climate with unique soil and has contributed to the unique flavour profile of this award-winning Pinot Noir. This award highlights the unique qualities and flavour profile this region offers. "Being awarded the trophy for Top Pinot Noir at a global prestigious wine competition is a dream come true for us here at Tohu. This wine comes from a special barrel selection, from our vineyard, Whenua Awa, in the Upper Awatere Valley in Marlborough. It's a unique site that grows dense and concentrated fruit, and we are proud to see the hard work of the vineyard and winery teams recognised with this gold medal and trophy" says Bruce Taylor, Chief Winemaker. We look forward to continuing to work closely with our valued partners in key global markets to share our unique Awatere Valley wines, especially this Trophy-winning and very special Pinot Noir, with you all. Bruce Taylor Dan Taylor Nicola Clay DipWSET Marina Hirst Tristram anthony Walsh Hugo McCallum Sharyne Chapman

A lovely night attending Ngā Tohu Kaiārahi Pakihi Māori o Aotearoa | Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards with my whanaunga and Tohu Wines ♥ The evening was uplifting and inspiring, highlighting the incredible leadership and achievements of our people ✨ Whakatō te kākano, marotiritiri ai te māra, ka māea ngā hua 🌱

I’m pleased to share a new experience I had the other week; leading a shoot for Wakatū Incorporation Tohu Wines Rewa Bubbles. Named after New Zealand’s native honeysuckle tree, the rewarewa. In Māori, rewa means to float and to elevate, just like the bubbles in our wines. Under the guidance of the Marketing Team at Tohu and Kono Wines, whom I met on my internship in 2021/22, the shoot was a success! We managed to capture a vogue-esque vibe and portray the wairua of this wine in a modern, Māori way. This mahi allowed me to express my creative side and pay homage to Te Ao Māori, while understanding the intricacies of a brand campaign. Thank you Wakatū!

New releases from Tohu Wines - Thanks to Bruce, Mel and team at Tohu. In 1998, Tohu established the world’s first Māori-owned wine business. They are part of a family business and business of families. Their tūpuna were kaitiaki of whenua and moana - farmers, fishermen, planters and providores. They were astute, creative and entrepreneurial. It is now their responsibility to uphold their legacy, and enhance the resources they passed down to us, now and for future generations. Today they create internationally recognised award-winning wines while remaining true to their deeply held values, which include rangatiratanga, kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga – excellence, guardianship and kindness. To find out more and purchase wine visit: https://lnkd.in/gT2UnhRk #wine #nzwine #tohuwines #winereview #NewReleases2024 #marlboroughwine #nelsonwine

Exciting News from Tohu Wines! We are proud to announce that two of our exceptional wines from the Whenua Matua Vineyard in Nelson have been recognized at the 2024 New World Wine Awards in New Zealand! Tohu Nelson Rosé 2024 - Gold Tohu Whenua Matua Single Vineyard Albariño 2021 - Champion Aromatic These accolades are a testament to the dedication and passion of our team, and the unique terroir of our vineyard in Nelson. Our Whenua Matua Vineyard is characterised by gentle, rolling hills of clay soil with interwoven layers of gravel. The predominately north facing hillsides and warm climate are ideal growing conditions for Aromatics and Pinot Noir. Ka rawe!

Ka rawe! We're delighted to announce that our Tohu Awatere Valley Riesling 2024 and Tohu Nelson Rosé 2024 were awarded Gold at the recent New Zealand International Wine Show Awards 2024. Fantastic wines to enjoy as we head into the warmer months!

Last Friday, Tohu and Wakatū kaimahi (employees) gathered to celebrate Te Wiki o te reo Māori and enjoy a tree planting day. Te Wiki o te reo Māori is an annual celebration for all New Zealanders to show their support for the Māori language, an official language of Aotearoa. It was a fun-filled morning of learning and enjoying a few games to practice our te reo Māori. Afterwards, the team picked up their gloves and shovels and enjoyed a day of native planting at Parehuaiti, a piece of land (once a vineyard) close to our Whenua Awa vineyard. We planted 700 plants, a combination of Ngaio and Kānuka, seed-sourced from our lands and nursed to small plants at a nursery in Rangiora. This collective effort is a testament to our commitment to giving back to the land that nurtures us and, most importantly, take joy in whanaungatanga (kinship, friendship) as we spent time together in the sunshine. The theme for Te Wiki 2024 is ‘Ake ake ake – A Forever Language’. It represents the resilience, adaptability and endurance of our language.

Carrot flowers, Marlborough Rock Daisy and Sunflowers... One of the most beautiful expressions of nature at the Whenua Awa Vineyard is the rows of vines lined with cover crops.    So, what is cover cropping, and how do we do it? Cover cropping involves planting non-cash crops to cover the soil rather than for harvest. These crops help manage soil erosion, improve soil fertility and structure, enhance water infiltration, and control pests and diseases.   At our vineyard, we take pride in promoting biodiversity through our cover cropping practices. These cover crops, grown within vine rows and under-vine strips, are sown into tilled soil or preferably directly drilled to minimize soil disturbance. They are carefully selected based on location, climate, and soil, focusing on native species. We manage this biodiversity by mowing high and infrequently to maintain beneficial habitats, crimping and rolling to provide mulch, and monitoring to balance water and nutrient competition.   Healthy soil equals healthy vines.

We are thrilled to be featured in Jo Burzynska’s latest article in Viva, highlighting the unique blend of Te Ao Māori and wine in Aotearoa. At Tohu Wines, we are deeply committed to honouring our Māori heritage while crafting exceptional wines that reflect the richness of our whenua. Jo’s insightful piece beautifully captures the essence of our journey and the passion that drives us. Check out the full article to learn more about how we, along with other dedicated Māori wine brands, are weaving our identity into every bottle. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gfUihmEC