16-Dec-2011
In August, Wakatu Incorporation restructured its horticultural and wine businesses with the intention of developing a company of greater cohesion with the ability to penetrate the distribution market. Tohu Wine, Ngatahi Horticulture and Aoteoroa Seafood merged to form ‘Kono N.Z.', which means ‘food basket', and Tohu Wines was renamed Kono Beverages. The Tohu label remains the premium brand based on the wines from the company's 72 ha Awatere vineyard and a new Nelson label will be launched for the wines from the 33 Whenua Matua vineyard in the Moutere, Nelson. The company has invested in planting extra and new varieties, such as Gruner Veltliner, Albarino and Pinot Blanc to add to its range of offerings, and will begin distributing other brands, beginning with a reciprocal arrangement with Buller Wines of Victoria, Australia. Chief executive Mike Brown will be busy over the next few years growing this integrated beverage portfolio and business, and no doubt Tohu winemaker Bruce Taylor will have a lot of fun developing the wine wines. A new release of Tohu wines indicates the growth and consolidation occurring. www.tohuwines.co.nz
