Te Whare Ra Dry Riesling

Te Whare Ra (also known as TWR) are not only one of Marlborough’s classiest producers of the aromatic styles but they’re one of the most down to earth, loveable Kiwi winemaking families you’ll ever come across.

Established in 1979 it makes them one of the oldest wine producers in the Marlborough area. Owned since 2003 by Anna and Jason Flowerday (Jason’s a Marlborough boy, Anna is from South Australia’s McLaren Vale) the team has now expanded to two sets of twin daughters (the all singing, all dancing quartet who occasionally jump on Pinot grapes at harvest time), a herd of Red Devon cows (vineyard mowers, manure spreaders and occasionally a nice slab of beef for the dinner table!) and several dogs (usually the first to greet visitors to the winery!).

So yep, life has kept them very busy – and with four young girls growing up leaving Jason a little concerned about going grey early!

Their boutique 11 hectare vineyard is managed with organic and biodynamic practices in mind. With yields low and all fruit being hand picked and hand sorted, the quality is right up there and backed by rave reviews every vintage.

This is their 2021 release single vineyard Dry Riesling and if you love the dry style, you’ll be head over heels for this. Scoring 94/100 with Master of Wine Bob Campbell who said “Dry-ish wine with lime, wet stone and white wildflower flavours. Gutsy with impressive concentration. Just a tad coarse but should mellow with age.”

If you’re thinking of popping some in the cellar try up until around 2030.