Our Story
Toku toa, he toa rangatira
My bravery is inherited from the chiefs who were my forebears
Our story begins at our home, Te Tauihu, at the top of the South Island in New Zealand.
In the heart of New Zealand’s picturesque Marlborough region lies a remarkable story—a tale of heritage, passion, and the pursuit of excellence. Welcome to Kono Wines, a Māori-owned, family-run business that weaves together tradition, innovation, and the vibrant flavours of the land.
Our roots run deep, tracing back to the customary Māori landowners of Nelson, Motueka, and Golden Bay. We are more than a business; we are a collective of approximately 250 families bound by a shared purpose: to protect, preserve, and enhance the land our ancestors once tended. Their legacy—the fruits of their labour—echoes through time, inspiring us to carry it forward.
Centuries ago, ourancestors were providores trading the bounty of their gardens and forests across the rugged landscape of Te Tauihu.
They understood the delicate balance between nature and nurture and revelled in the flavours that emerged from their toil.
Fast-forward to the 21st century. As the world discovered the zesty allure of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, we saw an opportunity—a chance to blend tradition with modernity.
In 2006, our first bottle of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc emerged from our vineyards. Since then, our commitment to quality has never wavered. Today, we produce over 1.5 million bottles of our award-winning Sauvignon Blanc.
Rated a Best Value Wine in Wine Spectator eight times, our Kono Sauvignon Blanc is a true expression of the stunning Marlborough region.
Everything we do today, we do with a better future in mind.
Kaitiakitanga, guardianship, stems from the responsibility people feel for the places, objects and legacies of utmost importance to them. At the heart of this is a holistic understanding of our place in the world - how we shape the landscapes around us and how those landscapes shape us. This informs how we interact with the natural environment, including all the other species we share the Earth with.
Kaitiakitanga is also about the social or human legacy and our obligations to the collectives of which we are members. This is our family, community, town, city, region, nationality and culture. It is our duty to uphold the values, traditions, customs and heritage of the people we belong to. This could be maintaining intergenerational knowledge, practising family recipes, caring for heirlooms or protecting important records and knowledge.
Practising kaitiakitanga is about awareness. Considering the consequences of our behaviour and the impact that this will have on people, place and the planet. It is an individual and ethical way of thinking about our actions and duties.
It is cyclical - reciprocity that blends with all aspects of the human experience.
Being mindful of balance and accepting that it is not someone else's problem but ours - that's kaitiakitanga.
When the domain of the natural world is sustained, so too is the future of humanity.
This is our mantra for life. We are custodians of our place in the world. All dedicated to our lands, vineyards, nature, people and culture.
Everything we do today we do with a better future in mind
We are lovers of life, our culture and each other.
We are each others’ strength and reason for being.
We dream each others dreams and help make them happen.
Wherever we are in the world we cherishour Taonga - our gift of belonging.