Tō mātou kōrero

Our story

Tohu Wines is the world’s first Māori-owned wine company.

Since 1998, Tohu is dedicated to producing internationally
acclaimed wines from subregions in New Zealand’s premier grape-growing areas.

Our philosophy is to create wines that capture the flavours of each region’s unique environment while upholding respect and protection of the land for future generations. We are guided by Te Pae Tawhiti, a 500-year plan that outlines our purpose, values and decisions, demonstrating our unwavering long-term commitment to sustainability and quality.

As an indigenous-owned winery, our values reflect who we are. They guide us in every decision, from our vineyard practices to the inspiration behind our wines. Our commitment to producing exceptional wine is deeply rooted in our duty to care for the land. Each range, crafted with aroha (love), is a precious gift from our land, inspired by our rich cultural heritage and the beauty of our surroundings.

Tohu is part of Kono, a Māori, whānau-owned company based in Te Tauihu (top of the South Island). With approximately 4000 owners who descend from the customary Māori land-owners of the Whakatū, Motueka and Mohua rohe, we work to preserve and enhance our taonga (treasures) for present and future generations.

The meaning of Tohu

Tohu has many translations; it can mean a sign, a symbol, a distinguishing feature, or a signature. Our wordmark is our signature and a symbol of intent as a company - a people committed to excellence, set on delivering the very best we can for our land and the people we serve. Now and in the future.

Our bespoke wordmark has been crafted to include the carved patterning known as rauponga, characterised by a row of notched chevrons. It pays tribute to Māori carving and its imbued meaning.

As a people, Māori developed the skill of carving to create elaborate and artistic objects, including jewellery, pou (carved posts), whare whakairo (carved meeting houses) and tekoteko (carved human forms). Powerful carvings found in the meeting house depict ancestors and their history, while pou whenua, strategically placed on the land, acknowledge and represent the relationship between Tangata Whenua (the people of the land), their ancestors and the environment.

Our symbol

In Māori culture, the koru or spiral symbolises growth, life and the natural world. For us, our koru represents our company's growth and our people's journey from the past to today.

This koru signifies our long-term intergenerational goals and has become our tohu, our signature. The koru featured in our logo comes from the painting He Mihi Aroha ki a Koe by renowned Māori artist Sandy Adsett. Sandy Adsett's koru is a classical motif from the kōwhaiwhai depicted in his painting.

Kōwhaiwhai is the ancient Māori tradition of painted patterns. These symmetrical designs decorate the rafters of the elaborately adorned whare tupuna—house of ancestors—and represent lineage, ancestry and the story of generations.

Tō mātou tāngata

Our people

He aha te mea nui o te ao. He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.

What is most important in the world? It is people, people, people.

One of our core values, Manaakitanga, encapsulates care and respect for people and relationships. Our team is made up of dedicated, passionate, and inspired people who share the Tohu vision.

Bruce Taylor

Chief Winemaker

Meet Bruce Taylor, the Chief Winemaker at Tohu Wines, a renowned
Māori-owned winery in New Zealand. Since joining Tohu Wines in 2008, Bruce has been instrumental in crafting high-quality wines that truly reflect the unique terroir of their vineyards.

Bruce's journey into winemaking began in his late twenties while backpacking through wine regions in North and South America. This experience
sparked his passion for wine and led him to pursue a career in the industry. He believes that wine should Encapsulate a place and time, showcasing the unique characteristics of each vintage and vineyard.

At Tohu Wines, Bruce Taylor is revered for his unwavering commitment to traditional winemaking methods and minimal intervention. This approach allows the grapes to express their natural qualities, resulting in wines of exceptional character and depth.

Bruce considers Pinot Noir the most challenging and rewarding grape to work with, a sentiment that inspires us all. He revels in the continuous development of flavours and aromatics from fruit to wine and delights in sharing his creations with whānau and friends.

Anthony Walsh

Whenua Vineyards Manager

Anthony Walsh is the Whenua Vineyards Manager at Tohu Wines, a
role that involves overseeing the vineyards and ensuring the production of high-quality grapes for their wines. His responsibilities include managing
vineyard operations, implementing sustainable practices, and working closely with the winemaking team to produce wines that reflect the unique terroir of their vineyards.

Anthony is dedicated to the principles of kaitiakitanga (guardianship), which is intrinsic to Tohu Wines' philosophy.
This involves a deep commitment to sustainability and the land's long-term
health. His work is crucial in balancing traditional Māori values and modern
viticulture practices.

Anna McCarty

Winemaker

Anna is a Winemaker at Kono, contributing to the crafting of Tohu’s award-winning wines. She works alongside Bruce in Blenheim, bringing precision and creativity to every vintage.

Tō Mātou Pūrakau: Our Stories

From favourite songs to the ideal day in Marlborough. Learn more about our winemaker Anna.

From favourite songs to the ideal day in Marlborough. Learn more about our winemaker Anna.

Read more

Tō Mātou Uara

Our values

At Tohu Wines, our values are deeply rooted in our Māori heritage.

These values are principles and a way of life, ensuring we honour our land, people, and culture.

Kaitiakitanga (Guardianship)

Our commitment to the guardianship of our environment is unwavering. We take collective responsibility for protecting and enhancing our precious natural resources, ensuring a healthy and vibrant environment for future generations. Our vineyards and winery adhere to the strictest sustainability standards, certified by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand. We are committed to a 20-year land wellness program, Whenua Ora, to leave the land and water in a better state than we inherited.

Manaakitanga (Hospitality)

Manaakitanga encapsulates care and respect for people and relationships, including the natural environment. It governs the way we interact with one another and our surroundings. At Tohu Wines, we demonstrate our love and respect for people by providing outstanding food and wine, nurturing and bringing people together through our shared heritage.
Whanaungatanga (Kinship)

Our kinship extends beyond our immediate whānau (family) to our community and the world. We value the connections we build and the relationships we foster through our wines. Sharing our culture and traditions with others is at the heart of what we do, and we take pride in being a part of a larger, interconnected community.
Hihiritanga (Innovation)

Hihiritanga is about doing things better and doing better things. We are curious and always striving for improvement. At Tohu Wines, we believe in the power of change to ignite, transform, and advance what we do and how we do it. This includes our journey in exploring the concept of Tikanga-led regeneration.

Tō Mātou Māra Wāina

Our vineyards

Each wine is an expression of our enduring connection to the land

Te Tauihu, the top of New Zealand’s South Island, is where we stand tallest, arms outstretched from west to east. Two distinct vineyards; our Whenua Matua vineyard sits among the sun-drenched slopes of upper Moutere, Nelson, while our Whenua Awa vineyard is high on the remote terraces of the upper Awatere Valley, Marlborough.

Marlborough

Nelson