Te Whare Ra Toru

Te Whare Ra (also known as TWR) are not only one of Marlborough’s classiest producers of the aromatic styles but they’re one of the most down to earth, loveable Kiwi winemaking families you’ll ever come across.

Established in 1979 it makes them one of the oldest wine producers in the Marlborough area. Owned since 2003 by Anna and Jason Flowerday (Jason’s a Marlborough boy, Anna is from South Australia’s McLaren Vale) the team has now expanded to two sets of twin daughters (the all singing, all dancing quartet who occasionally jump on Pinot grapes at harvest time), a herd of Red Devon cows (vineyard mowers, manure spreaders and occasionally a nice slab of beef for the dinner table!) and several dogs (usually the first to greet visitors to the winery!).

So yep, life has kept them very busy – and with four young girls growing up leaving Jason a little concerned about going grey early!

Their boutique 11 hectare vineyard is managed with organic and biodynamic practices in mind. With yields low and all fruit being hand picked and hand sorted, the quality is right up there and backed by rave reviews every vintage.

This is their iconic ‘Toru’ label (meaning three in Maori) – a co-blend of three varieties in gewürztraminer, riesling and pinot gris. First produced in 2006 they were the first in NZ to produce this style.

This is their latest 2023 release has had a swag of rave reviews…

95/100 (James Halliday’s Wine Companion)
“The hotly demanded Toru is made up of co-fermented gewürztraminer, riesling and pinot gris. It’s like a bouquet of spring flowers, wild thyme and apple blossom. Cut celery, lemon verbena and white nectarine. Juicy on the palate with a basket of fruit – pineapple, pears and mandarin. Expertly assembled together so that each varietal complements the other. It finishes with freshness of lime juice fireworks. Totally delicious and a joy of a wine.”

95/100 (Erin Larkin, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate)
” The 2023 SV5182 Toru is a field blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris. Toru is the Maori word for “three.” The wine shows lychee, cut pear, green apple, lemon oil, beeswax and brine. Since 2007, the wine has been co-fermented, which is crucial to the final integration of the wine. The composition of the wine changes each year depending on the seasonal conditions, and this is done with consistency of style in mind. The wine is an excellent Alsatian-styled blend: it combines phenolic structure, acidic intensity and enveloping fruit. It’s all in balance and is very good indeed. There are six grams of residual sugar per liter.”

93/100 (Stephen Wong MW, The Real Review)
“This field blend of riesling, pinot gris and gewürztraminer all comes from Anna and Jason Flowerday’s organic home vineyard in Renwick, next to their house. It is a well-kept secret and delivers oodles of drinkability by virtue of how it changes over time as each variety takes its turn in the limelight. Very well-priced for the quality. One to buy by the case and enjoy throughout the year.”

This is a great aperetif style wine or paired with spicy Asian and Indian cuisine.