New Zealand

Haka

Haka is the entry-level brand from Ra Nui Wines. Ra Nui Wines is dedicated to producing premium hand crafted wine from uniquely favoured vineyards within the Marlborough region. The winery is located in the Marlborough wine region, on the northeast side of South Island, an area wel known for its excellent Sauvignon Blancs. At Ra Nui they believe that "the wine is in the grape", therefor, they focus primarily on the vineyard, and in particular the grape. All grapes are hand picked, with a second manual selection once in the winery . Only the best grapes are eligible for their wines. The winery is member of 'Sustainable Wine -growing New Zealand', an organization which promotes environmentally focused vineyard practices.

Wines (2)

Crowded House

With Crowded House and Totara, Matt Ward and Fraser Brown (Catalina Sounds) launched 2 other brands that guarantee typical New Zealand and quality wines. Crowded House refers to the early years in Wairou Valley when Matt and Fraser pioneered a valley where grapes were not yet available. Meanwhile, they are far from alone here and others also discovered the enormous quality that this place has to offer. It is as they say themselves: “In the beginning, when we arrived here, we were still alone and brave, or maybe even stupid, but now we are with many others and we can really call it our home here… Our densely populated house . Totara in turn refers to a majestic native conifer that played an important role in the daily life of the Maori and the Pakeha, including making boats in one piece. Just like with Catalina Sounds, they only go for the very best of what Wairou has to offer. Cool Climate vineyards that have become more important than ever due to contemporary problems such as global warming. Especially now that many of the original wine regions are increasingly faced with the enormous problems that a few degrees of warming entail. Respect for natural balance and sustainability are therefore not empty words here. The wines therefore carry a label for “Sustainable winegrowing”.

Wines (1)  About the winery

Totara

With Crowded House and Totara, Matt Ward and Fraser Brown (Catalina Sounds) launched 2 other brands that guarantee typical New Zealand and quality wines. Crowded House refers to the early years in Wairou Valley when Matt and Fraser pioneered a valley where grapes were not yet available. Meanwhile, they are far from alone here and others also discovered the enormous quality that this place has to offer. It is as they say themselves: “In the beginning, when we arrived here, we were still alone and brave, or maybe even stupid, but now we are with many others and we can really call it our home here… Our densely populated house . Totara in turn refers to a majestic native conifer that played an important role in the daily life of the Maori and the Pakeha, including making boats in one piece. Just like with Catalina Sounds, they only go for the very best of what Wairou has to offer. Cool Climate vineyards that have become more important than ever due to contemporary problems such as global warming. Especially now that many of the original wine regions are increasingly faced with the enormous problems that a few degrees of warming entail. Respect for natural balance and sustainability are therefore not empty words here. The wines therefore carry a label for “Sustainable winegrowing”.

Wines (1)  About the winery

Catalina Sounds

Catalina Sounds was founded in 2005 by Matt Ward and Fraser Brown. Their ambition is simple and clear: to make Marlborough's best wines. Matt is the winemaker and got his knowledge in New Zealand's most renowned estates (Mahi Wines, Seresin Estate and Wither Hills) as well as making wines in Meursault, Oregon and the Palatinate in Germany. Fraser knows better than anyone the needs and requirements of the vineyard itself that are needed to get the very best out of the grapes. Together they form a team where each excels in perfection in his field. For them, balance is the basis of any wine that should be a natural reflection of its specific terroir. For a young wine estate like Catalina Sounds, the achievements are already impressive. Where they now have the best vineyards in Marlborough, there was nothing 15 years ago. The name of the domain is a tribute to the famous flying boats (or seaplanes) named Catalina.

Wines (3)  About the winery