For many it feels like groundhog day, another day, another lockdown. Businesses have immediately felt the devastating effects following the mandatory level 4 lockdown and have had to pivot once more.

Matakana Estate has pivoted by creating a bottle of Pinot Gris, entitled ‘Together’, a concept born from seeing New Zealand unified to fight the spread of Coronavirus. We’ve seen, since the lockdown of 2020, people from all over Aotearoa banding together; social distancing, mask wearing, social bubbles, working from home, spreading messages of love and solidarity with the “teddy-bear in the window” campaign, the list goes on. It was this love and solidarity that inspired Matakana Estate’s ‘Together’

Encapsulating the spirit of New Zealand with a vibrant and zesty Pinot Gris, the ‘Together’ bottle features various landmarks of New Zealand alongside its diverse community (all in face masks of course). The label was created by Wellingtonian Hannah Russell. 

In keeping with this spirit of charity and kindness, Matakana Estate promises that with every bottle of ‘Together’ sold, $1 will be donated to Harbour Hospice. Their local Hospice needs funds more than ever this lockdown, whose team provide a wide range of services for patients and their families who are living with life limiting conditions.

Jan Nichols, CEO of Harbour Hospice is extremely grateful for Matakana Estate’s ingenuity; “they’ve come up with a great concept, a beautiful bottle of wine and they have really thought about how they can support the community at this really challenging time”.

Chrissy Lu, CEO of Matakana Estate believes that lockdown is a great time to support this concept, “We all need wine in lockdown so why not help a charity at the same time.” Lu continues, “Even though I wasn’t born here in New Zealand I feel part of it, this is my home and I want to help my home, my family, it’s all about sticking together throughout this tough time.”

When it comes to the wine itself, Richard Robson; Winemaker at Matakana Estate, comments that the Pinot Gris has come from the vineyards right on the Estate property, “There is a couple of different vintages in the wine and it’s the perfect blend of apples, pears, really good acidity and weight on the palate. It is unique in its taste and concept.”

Matakana estate is operating online and offering nationwide wine deliveries throughout Alert Level 4.

Discover more about the Together story here