Gewurztraminer Te Whare Ra 2024

Gewurztraminer Te Whare Ra 2024 Natural/Organic wine from Marlborough New Zealand and although not certified Biodynamic the winery most definitely adheres to biodynamic principles both in the vineyard and the winery with minimum intervention and huge stock put into soil health and biodiversity. Althourgh Marlborough is somewhat synonomous with Sauvignon Blanc production this demonstrates that top Gewurztraminers are possible also.

The grapes are grown on Loam-Clay soils and sourced from a parcel of old vines that where planted in 1979 .(some of the oldest vines in the Marlborough region) The grapes are hand harvested and sorted by hand upon reception at the winery. After being destemmed and crushed the must receives some skin contact, which helps to extract the varietals signutare aromas of lychee, ginger and spice. Grapes are then gently air bag pressed to preserve their delicate flavours.

Resulting wine is off dry, intensely aromatic showing lychee, rose petal, orange, ginger, clove and exotic spice. Rich and concentrated with a soft silky texture. Fantasti paired with spicy cuisine

Te Whare Ra (TWR), pronounced Te Faré Rha (House of the Sun), is the oldest little winery & vineyard in Marlborough, being first established in 1979 in the sub-region of Renwick. Since 2003 it has been owned and operated by two vignerons – Anna & Jason Flowerday. She’s an Aussie from South Australia and he’s a Kiwi from Marlborough. Both have wine in their veins literally & metaphorically, and after years of working for other people, they decided to make the leap to doing their own thing.

Anna and Jason firmly believe that biodiversity is the key to maintaining a good vineyard. They plant between the vines and plough alternate rows. To combat pests, they use natural methods such as buckwheat, and fertilize the vineyard using their own home-made composts and manure. In the cellar they practice a hands-off approach as they seek to express the nature of their individual vineyards and sites.

The TWR wines are truly hand-made. Everything is hand-picked, hand-sorted and the attention to detail is meticulous. Anna and Jason are dedicated to making delicious authentic wines that showcase the very best of Marlborough not the mass-produced version. “Wines made with cowsh#t not bullsh#t” is their winning maxim.