Tohu Awatere Valley Pinot Gris

Tohu (pronounced tor-who) were the world’s first Maori owned and operated wine company, formed back in 1998. The label features the famous New Zealand koru, that iconic symbol slapped on the side of every plane in the national airline fleet. In fact from time to time you might even see a Tohu glass of wine being poured on board or in their airport lounges!

The Tohu label is part of Kono NZ – a whanau-owned Māori food and beverage producer. They own over 300 hectares of land in Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough and they farm, harvest, process and then market and export their wine, craft beer, cider, apples, pears, kiwifruit and hops. As well as aiming to be the world’s best indigenous food and beverage provider their values are central to the values of Maori – thoughtfulness, kindness and hospitality.

Oh, and making sure you’re pouring bloody good wine if it’s got Tohu on the label!

They source the fruit for their Pinot Gris from some of their vineyards in the Awatere Valley down there in Marlborough. This is their latest 2023 release from a good Marlborough vintage.

Heaps of succulent pear, pear and stone fruit flavours and a dryish finish. The guys and girls at Tohu recommend pairing this one with chilli, ginger and battered fish soft tacos with fresh coriander and salsa verde. How good does that sound?