te Pa Family Vineyards is an up-and-coming indigenous Maori-owned winery, with an award-winning wine programme and a strong presence here in New Zealand. With a focus on sustainably grown, vegan-friendly wines that offer a special sense of place and boast an easy-drinking and approachable style that won’t break the bank, te Pa has a range of top drops you can enjoy for the Kiwi summer.

The Marlborough-based winery produces the hugely popular Pa Road brand, as well as its premium te Pa and te Pa Reserve Collection wines, and the newer Montford Estate range.

Widely distributed in 20+ markets including New Zealand, UK, and the USA, te Pa is also eyeing up growth in the emerging Asia / South-East Asia region.

Owner and founder Haysley MacDonald, and marketing manager Mikela Dennison-Burgess, recently spent time visiting customers in Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea, and today, they’re sharing some delicious food and wine matches (with Dish Magazine recipes to help you recreate them at home) that were inspiring on their recent travels.
 

Thailand

From the buzzing, motorbike-laden streets of Bangkok to the scenic coastlines of Phuket with its trendy beach clubs and luxurious resorts, it’s no wonder Thailand is a popular destination for tourists, digital nomads, and expats alike.

For te Pa, the Thai climate, lifestyle and cuisine are all very well-suited to the crisp, light, refreshing white wines that Marlborough is famous for.

This recipe for Market Fish with a Crisp Thai Salad is a great option for a light, flavoursome meal once the summer nights kick in. Serve with te Pa’s dry – off dry Riesling or te Pa Reserve Collection Hillside Sauvignon Blanc for a refreshing and well-balanced wine pairing. If you’re still craving something a little more warming for the soul, this Thai Green Chicken and Eggplant Curry would be heavenly served with a chilled glass of te Pa Pinot Gris.

Must try: Blue Elephant in Bangkok for authentic Royal Thai Cuisine and cooking lessons. Accommodation: Stay Wellbeing & Lifestyle Resort or splash out at Sri Panwa for the ultimate in luxury. Need to be close to Phuket Airport? The Slate Phuket is a great option. Visit: Niran Farm & Equestrian Centre in Phuket.

Vietnam

Renowned for its vibrant culture and street food scene, as well as its bright, uber-fresh flavours and generous use of herbs, Vietnamese cuisine is perfectly matched with aromatic white wines like Riesling and Pinot Gris.

Some of te Pa’s favourite dishes in Vietnam were the papaya salad, and the prawn rice paper rolls, at Miss Ly Cafe in Hoi An (an iconic spot in the historic district). For a fun night out with excellent views of the Thu Bon river, check out Mango Rooms, where Chef Duc brings a fresh approach to Vietnamese fusion. In Ho Chi Minh City, Nephele is one of the hottest new dining spots to open its doors; in a sumptuous venue, Chef Francis Thuan is pushing the boundaries of modern French - Vietnamese cuisine with spectacular results. 

Given Vietnam is abundant with fresh seafood, especially fish and prawns, Sauvignon Blanc is a great choice if Vietnamese is on your summer menu. Try te Pa’s Reserve Collection ‘Seaside’ Sauvignon Blanc next time you’re whipping up a Vietnamese feast like Dish Magazine’s Papaya, Vermicelli and Fresh Herb Salad.

South Korea

Korean cuisine is varied and versatile, from raw meat dishes like yukhoe, to speciality noodle dishes like japchae, to the iconic Korean Fried Chicken and Korean BBQ, and the ever-present banchan (the small plates of kimchi, radish, salads and crab that accompany most meals).

The result of all those different textures, temperatures, and flavours? You’ll want to reach for a wine that is versatile and crowd pleasing, like a mellow Chardonnay, fruity Rose, or a lightly spiced and fragrant Pinot Gris.

You could also try te Pa’s trophy winning Pinot Noir for a smooth and bold red wine match to go with this Korean Bulgogi Steak with Miso Mayonnaise. For a fun summer twist, try this finger-licking Korean Fried Chicken recipe with te Pa’s limited edition Pa Road Sparkling Rose (available winery direct).
 

Taiwan 

Home of the world-famous Din Tai Fung dumpling chain, Taiwan boasts delicious Chinese cuisine as well as some of its own regional specialities like Taiwanese Beef Noodle soup, and ‘shabu shabu’ (hot pot).

Seeing as you can’t go wrong with a classic, why not give these Pork and Chive Dumplings a try? Pair with a chilled glass of te Pa Rose; the wine’s fresh and fruity strawberry and cream notes, and dry, crisp finish, will perfectly compliment the rich, unctuous dumpling filling and crispy wrapper.

These wines and more from te Pa Family Vineyards are available nationwide in New World, Pak n Save, Countdown, and select liquor retail stores. Contact [email protected] for your local stockist, or for trade enquiries, please contact Beverage Brothers Ltd.  

And by using the promo-code 'DISHMAGAZINE', you can save 20% on all online wine purchases for a limited time!