Where the ancient Otuwhero river meets the ocean, a vineyard estate sits close to the Pacific ocean on the tip of the South Island of Marlborough, New Zealand. Where wild beauty meets intense flavours, OTU Estate wines leave a lasting impression of fruit expression. This carefully chosen location of north-facing steep coastal slopes for optimal wine production, gifts the name – OTU wines.
OTU Estate Wines – Awatere Valley – As the coolest and driest of Marlborough’s three sub-regions, the drier, windier, cooler and more rugged terrain produces distinctive, intensely vibrant wines for a truly unforgettable experience. Taste the intensity of crisp and zesty sea-swept wine for yourself.
The wild coast this far south ensures an extensive growing season with higher hours of sunshine and extended ripening. Picking at the perfect moments of time promises peak ripeness, and perfectly balanced distinct flavor, salinity and acidity.
With a primal focus of honouring our beautiful whenua – New Zealand land – the authentic windy, rough nature de-vigours the vines, fruitfully crafting low yields of small, intensely flavoured berries. These parcels of sweetness and salinity display the notorious vibrant wine palates OTU wines have become reknown for.
OTU’s story was established in the new millennium, 2000, signalling a fresh, new and zesty revolutionary take on New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Within the estate, five vineyard blocks were born along the Pacific Ocean’s wild coast. Every element of the block locations and positioning were purposefully selected to embrace the warmer sea breezes, maximum sun exposure and wild, wild winds.
The Winemaker at OTU – Anna Remond
Otu are proud to have Anna Remond, their exceptional head winemaker, leading the way at OTU Estate. Her vision, talent, and dedication continue to shape the distinctive wines that define our estate. Originally from a rural background in Canterbury, Anna is a passionate winemaker with a love of Sauvignon Blanc – the crisp fresh wines the Marlborough region is so well known for.
A winemaker for 15 years for one of New Zealand’s largest wineries, Anna headed up the white wine making program, and worked vintages in the French regions of Sancerre and Burgundy. As a mentor for the Women in Wine Programme, Anna also supports women to develop their Winemaking careers and reach their full potential in Marlborough, here in New Zealand, and continues to forge a leadership path for women in winemaking overall.
Sustainability = Care = Quality, Craft, & Flavour
Sustainability is about caring for the future based on what we do today. Caring for the environment and the community in which we live and work, and caring about the craft of grape growing and wine-making.
The Awatere Valley Marlborough has some of the freshest air and cleanest water in the world – it truly is a magical place for crafting wine. OTO believe great wine is made in the vineyard, so if you care for your vineyard then nature will reward you with great flavours and quality in your wines. This is why OTU are committed to sustainability for the long term and have been since their vineyards were planted more than 15 years ago.
Water Conservation – OTU only use water as needed through carefully monitored drip irrigation and that water used is taken from the river at high flow times in winter and stored in their reservoirs for use in the summer months.
Rewilding of the place, the vineyard – Around the OTU vineyards on river banks, along the coast, and on hillsides they are reestablishing native plants to bring back biodiversity which helps the vineyard and the planet.
Recyclable Packaging & lighter weight bottle – OTU’s bottles are made from 60-75% recycled glass and this will increase over time. The bottles are already lighter in weight, and their label paper and cartons are sourced only from recycled or renewable sources.
THE WINES
Currently OTU have the following wines in their 2025 Estate Range – The OTU Sauvignon Blanc & a ‘Lighter’ Sauvignon Blanc with 30% less alcohol, a Pinot Gris, a Pinot Noir Rose and a 2023 Pinot Noir. They also produce a 2025 estate Chardonnay with fruit sourced from the Hawke’s Bay region.
The new Limited Release range consists of the 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, 2025 Pinot Noir Rose and 2023 Pinot Noir all from Marlborough and the 2023 Chardonnay form the Hawke’s bay. All the wines are available online directly from OTU here: https://www.otuwines.com/shop-otu
All Otu wines are also available in-store across New Zealand at New World, Woolworths, Pak’n Save, Four Square and Fresh Choice stores, and online at the Good Wine Co. The wines are also available internationally too, so to find out where in your country visit: https://www.otuwines.com/buy-otu-near-you1
* Try some of the OTU wine based Cocktails too – https://www.otuwines.com/savvy-cocktails
JB’s TASTING NOTES
I recently had the pleasure of tasting the 4 new Limited Release wines from Otuwhero Estate. All four wines were excellent examples of their variety, made with care and attention to detail. I can highly recommend the Limited Release OTU collection, all wines amazing value for money too. JB
OTU ‘Limited Release’ Sauvignon Blanc 2025 – RRP: $24.00
Clear straw in colour with pale green hues. In the nose, it’s fragrant & inviting with ripe tropical fruit & lemon / lime citrus aromas, savoury, grassy, herbal notes too. On the palate, medium weighted with concentrated tropical fruit flavours, passion-fruit, green apples, limes, a refreshing zingy acidity, stony minerality & leesy textures adding complexity. Long luscious & persistent finish. Excellent Savvy & great Value!
OTU Limited Release Pinot Noir Rosé, 2025 – RRP: $24.00
Shiny pale salmon pink in colour with copper hues. In the nose, pretty floral notes then aromas of strawberry & cream, red summer berries & crisp red apples. On the palate, bright summer raspberry, strawberry & cranberry flavours, it’s medium bodied with a crunchy crisp apple acidity & a fine textured mouthfeel, The finish is long & dry but juicy! A delicious Autumn Evening sip!
OTU Limited Release Chardonnay, 2025, Hawke’s Bay NZ – RRP: $32.00
In the glass, glossy pale straw-gold in colour, subtle green hues. In the nose, lemon citrus & ripe stone-fruit aromas, notes of cashew nut, fresh baked bread & spice. On the palate, zesty citrus & rich concentrated nectarine & apricot stone-fruit flavours, ‘grape-fruity’ acidity, creamy ‘malo’ mouthfeel, & Super-Wine biscuit, nutty oak influence. A very moreish long finish with a wee juicy citrus zing! Excellent.
OTU Wines Limited Release Pinot Noir 2023, Marlborough NZ – RRP: $36.00
In the glass, translucent mid ruby-red in colour, lighter at the rim. In the nose, an immediate savoury, earthy smoky note, then ripe summer berry, cherry & dark plum fruit aromas. On the palate ripe plum, cherry & red berry fruit flavours are supported by chalky tannins & a refreshing acidity, there’s a fine oak textural element & savoury earth, sweetened with chocolate and spice notes on the finish. Very tasty, fleshy & grippy finish. A delicious, most enjoyable Pinot.
