NEW ZEALAND
THE FRESH ORIGINAL
SAUV BLANC
NEW ZEALAND SAUV BLANC
New Zealand's first
Founders Bill and Ross Spence came from a long line of winemakers, working on their father's winery from a young age before and after school. Both brothers went on to study - Ross in winemaking and viticulture and Bill viticulture. After their studies in the 1960s, they decided to strike out on their own to make wine that people would really enjoy drinking.
1966
In 1966, with support from their mother and grandmother, the Spence brothers purchased their own block of land on Matua Road in Northwest Auckland. Driven by a love for innovation, they travelled New Zealand searching for promising grape varieties. While many trial vines failed, several showed exceptional potential, including Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Grey Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
1969
By 1969, Bill and Ross started planting their vineyard, including their first commercial planting of Sauvignon Blanc. Over the next couple of years, the brothers cloned the vines continually.
1970
Back in the 1970s, getting a winemaking license was no easy feat, but Bill and Ross came across an old orchard in West Auckland with something special tucked away: a little tin shed with a winemaker's license still attached. They took a chance, bought the place and started making wine their own way. From that first plot of land came the name Matua, Māori for "head of the family". And from one humble tin shed, Matua was born, soon to make New Zealand wine history.
1974
Bill and Ross made various small trials and blends until they settled on Sauvignon Blanc. They named their wines Matua, and with their first run of 400 bottles, Matua became the first to produce Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand!
It's our community mentality, loyalty to the earth, and most importantly, respect for the indigenous communities, that allowed us the gift of using the cherished MOKO carving on our labels.
It's a great honor and testament to what the Spence brothers cultivated over 50 years ago.
As Matua grew, so did our community of growers, stretching across some of New Zealand's most celebrated wine regions. From Marlborough and Nelson to the more recent addition of Central Otago, we select grapes from exceptional vineyards throughout the South Island.
Different places, different personalities, all connected by a shared dedication to great wine, innovation and care for the land.
New Zealand's most celebrated wine region. Home to our iconic MATUA Sauvignon Blanc.
Where cool nights and rugged terrain come together to create exceptional Pinot Noir.
A close cousin to Marlborough, it is shaped by a different climate and landscape, delivering wines with its own distinctive energy, texture and spectrum of flavours.
Caring for the land that gives us our wine is at the heart of everything we do. And because actions speak louder than words, we're committed to making a real difference.
We're powered by 100% renewable electricity and committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2030.
Our winery and vineyards are also Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) certified.
The certification requires annual submissions and regular audits covering six focus areas: Soil, Water, Plant Protection, Waste, People and Climate Change.
We are proud to be 100% SWNZ certified throughout the entire production process, from vineyard operations to winemaking and bottling.
And certified in multiple programs that keep our productions working towards a cleaner planet.
