Tohu Wines: 2009 Vintage As Good As It Looks

PRESS RELEASE

27th October 2009

* The release of Tohu’s 2009 Sauvignon Blanc marks an exciting new era

* After 12 months of rebranding, Tohu is thrilled to introduce to the market its brand new labels

* The 2009 release is cause for double celebration, the new branding and the first release of wines under the winemaking guidance of Bruce Taylor

The 2009 vintage marks and exciting new era for Tohu Wines. The launch of the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc coincides with the release of Tohu’s new branding.

Tohu has enjoyed 11 years of success as New Zealand’s first Māori owned wine company. During this time Tohu has achieved awards and accolades both in New Zealand and abroad for its range of wines, predominately sourced from Marlborough.

Quality wines produced by Tohu are used as a vehicle to celebrate Māori culture with the wine drinking public and trade. Carrying a unique story, Tohu most definitely stands out from the crowd, as its authentic indigenous branding never fails to attract attention. “People in our international markets are fascinated by our brand story and domestically our customers are very loyal towards our brand. Māori culture is the foundation to New Zealand’s unique and evolving national identity, and this is something we are very proud of”, comments Paul Morgan, Chairman of Tohu Wines.

The motivation for the brand change was to enhance Tohu’s overall competitive edge and to give the brand a more contemporary feel, whilst retaining its strong point of difference. Working with graphic design firm, Mission Hall, Tohu drew inspiration for the new branding from the inaugural label – the painting by prominent Māori artist, Sandy Adsett, He Mihi Aroha Ki a Koe. Sandy Adsett’s koru is a classic motif from the kōwhaiwhai, symbolising growth, life and the natural world. “Tohu is Māori for signature and in essence our koru has become our mark, representing the new growth our vineyards experience each year”, says Jo De Fazio, Marketing Manager for Tohu Wines.

Two other key elements of the new Tohu branding include a silhouette of Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku, the spectacular backdrop to Tohu’s Awatere Valley vineyard, and Tohu’s signature font, representing the carving pattern Rauponga. The end result is a Tohu brand with a distinctly Māori feel and appearance, incorporating premium cues synonymous with the New Zealand wine industry.

Tohu’s newly branded wines will be officially launched during the up and coming Marlborough Wine Weekend, commencing on the 30th of October and carrying on through to the 1st November. The first of the newly branded Tohu wines to be released onto the market will be the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, and the remaining wines in Tohu’s portfolio will be gradually rolled out over next few months.

“The release of the 2009 vintage Sauvignon Blanc is cause for a double celebration. Not only is it the beginning of a new phase in the history of Tohu, but the first wine produced under the guidance of our new Winemaker, Bruce Taylor. We can honestly say our 2009 vintage wines tastes as good as they look!” Ms. De Fazio says.

ENDS

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