DARLING WINES (MARLBOROUGH) 84 ANNUAL DIRECTORY 2018 ALLIANCE GROUP (THE OMEGA LAMB PROJECT/ TE MANA LAMB) GATHERED GAME (LUMSDEN) “We were probably the only people there that didn’t have a speech prepared,” Gathered Game’s Chris Thorn says after winning the NZ Food Awards artisan title, before stating he was both stoked and surprised. The company – which won with its premium wild venison salami and ‘deer sticks’ – was started only 18 months ago and now supplies more than 50 retail outlets mainly in the North Island. Thorn and wife Sally take venison sourced from Fare Game in Invercargill and spiced with product from the North Island, ferment it overnight and then hang it for two months so it gets mouldy “and really awesome.” Since winning the award, the couple have been inundated with enquiries, and have increased production to 100kg a week. www.gatheredgame.co.nz KOKO LOA (SAMOA) Wilex Samoa, a 100% locally owned family business, officially launched its first line of exquisite chocolate and cocoa products at the end of 2016. Delicately crafted by Samoa’s own local chocolatiers at its internationally-accredited facilities for food safety in Lelata, KOKO LOA proudly celebrates its Samoan heritage, with a name inspired by the legend of mythical creator of the universe and heavens, Tagaloa. KOKO LOA is made from carefully handpicked premium and fermented cocoa beans (Samoan origin 72%) and infused with tropical flavours. The company has overcome massive obstacles to be the pioneers of the cocoa industry – its first factory was destroyed by fire in 2003, and Cyclone Evan damaged its second factory in Lelata. The range includes fruit and nut, coconut milk chocolate, premium and pacific brand powders, and are stocked by the Sheraton Hotels. www.wilexsamoa.net The Omega Lamb Project has selectively bred Te Mana Lamb - with micro-marbling of intramuscular Not only was Darling Wines the only New Zealand wine to win a trophy at the 2017 Australian & New Zealand Boutique Wine Show held in Sydney, but it took out the champion sauvignon blanc trophy to boot. Head judge of the show – open to wineries producing up to 250 tonnes of grapes – Huon Hooke says the Darling Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 had notes of “subtle passionfruit, a concentrated palete with a long finish.” Co-owner Chris Darling says to see organic wine showcased at such a large event is a huge testament and a positive step forward for the organic movement. The company started with a humble 200 cases in 2008, with a vision of producing premium organic wine known for quality first. Its wines are now found in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, US and Canada.www.thedarlingwines.com fat - for a superior flavour and cooking versatility. Te Mana Lamb is the result of transformational thinking about the end-product. Selective breeding, studies of types of pasture feed and grazing, and geographical environment have led to the development of a lamb with micro-marbling of Omega-3 fats through the lean muscle. The result is a flavoursome meat product with increased cooking versatility, improved texture and lower odour. Te Mana Lamb is reinvigorating the market for New Zealand lamb, both locally and internationally. www.temanalamb.com
FT-Annual Directory 2018-eMag
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