If Tope wines have yet to cross your path, here's the place to get better acquainted with a new brand from two highly experienced wine professionals whose aim is to over deliver a great glass of wine. 

"Our aim is to make wines that we call 'end-of-a-rough=day-wines' says Pete Warr, co-owner and co-founder of the Tope wine brand. "We want to make wines that lift you up because they deliver more than people expect when they drink them but they are affordable and drinkable when released - rather than wines that take a long time to soften up. Ours are approachable from day one." 

The Tope brand is the brainchild of Tom Kriegshauser and Pete Warr, who collectively launched their first wines in 2022 in New Zealand with a 2021 red and a 2022 white. They have since added a new white and there are more reds in the pipeline, so to speak (in the bottle), which are soon to be released. Both Tom and Pete visited New Zealand in the second half of 2024 but, in keeping with their individual lives, they each came separately because they now live in separate countries and hemispheres. Pete lives in South Australia, which is where the grapes in their brand come from, while Tom lives in Japan. 

The pair use grapes grown entirely in the Clare Valley, South Australia. They currently purchase grapes from growers rather than owning vineyards, which is a relatively frequent tactic to take when launching a new brand today, especially when the two brand owners live in different countries and even different hemispheres. 

This brand was introduced to yours truly as soon as it launched into Aotearoa New Zealand in 2022. I have had the pleasure of being able to track their progress ever since their initial launch. 

My independent reviews follow this interview; a snapshot of discussions about wine with Tom. 

Five minutes with... Tom Kriegshauser of Tope

Where do you each live?

Tokyo. I moved there in 2016 from Australia, which is home for Pete. 

When do you and Pete first decide you wanted to collaborate and create a brand together?  

The first idea was at the University of Adelaide and sitting in the backyard of shared accommodation over several bottles of wine. We got serious when we caught up in February 2020 and decided to start Tope with the 2021 vintage.  

Speaking of which, when were your first vintages? 

The 2021 Tope P&R Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Tope 100 Osmond Riesling and 2023 Tope Dual Citizen Riesling are our first and current wines.

What comes next for Tope?

There is a 2023 Tope Afternoon Roll Grenache and a 2023 Tope Haus of Warr Mataro, both of which we have scheduled for release in February 2025. 

Tell us about the labels?

There's a story behind each one, which represent special, meaningful or historic places in our lives. They are illustrated with sketches by my uncle.

The wines

18.5/20
2023 Tope Clare Valley Dual Citizen Riesling RRP $31.99

Fresh, vibrant and crisp with layers of citrusy lime zest. These classic dry Riesling flavours are the order of the day in this beautiful expression of dry Australian Riesling, which contains 1.2 grams of residual sugar. It is made from a 2.3 hectare, east facing vineyard in the Clare Valley where clay soils favour a high water content. This aids growing conditions in such a dry climate. It drinks beautifully now, practically begging for a citrusy, lemon grass infused Thai dish or for a decade in the cellar, which will see it blossom and unfold rich lemon flavours. 

17.5/20
2023 Tope 100 Osmond Riesling RRP $31.99

A smooth and weighty style of dry Riesling made from a west facing ridge situated at 380 metres above sea level in the Clare Valley. This wine contains 0.8 grams of residual sugar making it bone dry and its flavours span the gamut of lime cordial, ripe green apples and a touch of honey. The average vine age on this site is 33 years old and the site is dry farmed, which means there is no irrigation. 

18.5/20
2022 Tope Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $34.99

This is Cabernet Sauvignon has rich dark chocolate, black olive and fresh herb aromas held in a layered, flavoursome wine with a medium body, juicy acidity adding a lingering finish. It is made from vines that are, on average, 23 years of age, grown on an eastern range between 497 and 550 metres above sea level in the Clare Valley and dry farmed. Long sunshine hours aid both the ripening of the grapes and their complex flavour development. This wine drinks superbly now and can further age for at least four to five years - and then some.