Tohu Wines leaves sparkling impression on judges at 2023 Marlborough Wine Show, takes away sought-after Legacy Trophy

One of the most sought-after trophies at the Marlborough Wine Show, sponsored by QuayConnect, the NZ Wine Centre Legacy Award, was this year won by Tohu Wines.

Sponsored by Marlborough Research Centre (MRC) and awarded to the Tohu Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blancs 2011, 2014 and 2016 vintages, the Legacy Award is designed to celebrate wines with the highest scores from three vintages within a 10-year period and a minimum gap of two years between each wine.

It is the ultimate recognition of excellence and consistency, and this year the judging panel was joined by world-leading wine expert Oz Clarke to taste this category.

Marlborough Research Centre chief executive Gerald Hope said it was significant that Tohu should pick up the trophy in the centre’s first year sponsoring the award.

“As an internationally recognised quality wine region, our success has been built around strong, trusting relationships amongst grape and wine producers. From ‘soil to science’, MRC over the years has built facilities and funded research to secure a local team of skilled experienced researchers and technicians. Having that capability in the region has helped build the Marlborough brand and reputation with underpinning science.”

“It was significant that Tohu Wines, established under the cloak of Whakatu and Kono, was recognised this year. Their wines connect to the land and the sub region they harvest grapes from. It was not surprising their sparkling wines from 2011, 2014 and 2016 shone out and were justifiably recognised,” he says.

“Marlborough wine region has just celebrated 50 glorious years. MRC is about to celebrate 40 years in mid 2024. The natural synergy of our sponsorship of the Legacy Award and Trophy is a natural alliance that represents why the region has been successful in such a short period of time.”

Tohu Wines chief winemaker Bruce Taylor shared with us some insight into what makes this wine sing… 

Tell us a bit about the Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blancs - what makes it so special?

The whole process of growing and making this wine is quite special; right from the Rothay Vineyard in Rapaura which has provided the fruit from day one, through the whole long, long process of producing this style of wine. It’s a very different approach, from the picking decision to ageing and tirage decisions, it's all a lot of fun and a real challenge every year.

How long have you been making this wine and what was special about the 2011, 2014 and 2016 vintages?

We first made this Méthode in 2009, and while we produce a Rewa in some quantity every season, the three vintages we selected to enter this Legacy award were picked based on their individual characteristics. Ironically, it's not the greatest Marlborough vintages that really let this wine show; I’m sure all growers and winemakers in Marlborough will recall the many challenges of 2011, 2014 and 2016! Definitely not great still wine vintages, but pretty good for sparkling.

This is a sought-after trophy at the Marlborough wine show, demonstrating both excellence and consistency. How did it feel to pick up the trophy this year?

We are always stoked to win gold medals and trophies at our local wine show. We have been entering wines since the inaugural show back in 2011, and every trophy we have managed to win over the years has felt very special. We are all big fans of sparkling wines and are very proud of our Rewa, so of course rapt to be recognised for our efforts over these many years.

It seems Marlborough is going from strength to strength when it comes to producing quality sparkling wines. What do you think it is about the region that enables us to do this?

I think we undoubtedly have a great climate for sparkling with those cool nights and low disease pressure, but I also think a lot of credit needs to go to Daniel Le Brun and Lee Dobson at No.1 Estate. They have helped and guided many of us sparkling producers over the years. The introduction of Méthode Marlborough as an industry association has also, I believe, really pushed the quality of Marlborough sparklings to new levels, as well as setting some great quality guidelines for us all to adhere to.