2025 · Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Founded in 1998, Tohu is the world’s first Māori-owned wine company and part of the Māori whānau-owned Kono group. Based in New Zealand, it works with vineyards in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, Nelson and Hawke’s Bay, including its own Whenua Awa vineyard in the Upper Awatere Valley and Whenua Matua in Nelson. Tohu’s wines emphasize regional character through ranges including single-vineyard bottlings, food-focused wines and traditionally made sparkling wines. Its approach is guided by kaitiakitanga (guardianship), manaakitanga (care and respect) and long-term land stewardship. Practices include dry-farming, integrated pest management and lighter bottles, alongside the Whenua Ora land-wellness programme and Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand certification. Chief winemaker Bruce Taylor, who joined in 2008, is associated with traditional, minimal-intervention winemaking, particularly for Pinot Noir.