It’s hard to separate New Zealand and Sauvignon Blanc these days, but Matua was the first to put them together, producing New Zealand’s first bottle in 1974.

By the year 1969, Bill and Ross began sowing the seeds of their own wineyard, including the first commercial planting of Sauvignon Blanc. Over the next few years, the brothers cloned the vines continually, gradually, expanding their production in hopes of becming winemakers of their own.

Once the harvest was ready, it was time for the brothers to begin crafting their wine. In the 70s, it was difficult to obain a wine license. Luckily, they found an old orchard for sale that still had a winemaker´s licence attached to its old tin shed.

Bill and Ross didn´t hesitate, they purchased the old shed and the license that came with it. Finally, Matua was born.