Tropical Travel Girl
Yes! Tahiti has its own wine!
When you think of Tahiti, you may think of a plethora of fruity tropical drinks, made with coconuts, mangos, passionfruit, pineapple…the list goes on. But wine? Yes! Tahiti has its own wine!
Tahiti Blanc de Corail wine ©Debbra Dunning Brouillette
Rangiroa Atoll Aerial ©Vin De Tahiti
Vin de Tahiti is produced from grapes grown in the heart of the South Pacific. The vineyard is located on Rangiroa in the Tuamotus chain of coral atolls. Since the soil largely consists of coral from the surrounding reefs, it is sometimes informally called the “coral wine.” I was first introduced to this atypical varietal while on a shore excursion from our 10-day Windstar cruise of Tahiti and the Tuamotus.
Transporting grapes to the production facility on Rangiroa. ©VinDeTahiti
The terrior (the environment that allows this wine to be produced) has been enhanced with soil from Tahiti and natural compost, including seaweed and vine canes from pruning.
The Dominique Auroy Winery is named for its owner, a French businessman who imported the vines from France and Italy in 1992. Winemaker Sébastien Thépénier, a native of the Burgundy region of France, lives on Rangiroa and oversees the vineyards and production of the wine. A natural fresh water source waters the grapes using drip irrigation. Since there is no winter on Rangiroa, a pruning process provokes the vines to form new buds, making it possible to harvest grapes in both May and December. Twelve hours of daily sunlight contributes to its character and complexity.
Vin De Tahiti wines
The winery produces four varieties — three whites and a rosé: Blanc de corail, Blanc Moelleux, Clos du récif (a white white made from red grapes), and Rosé Nacarat (from a blend of white and red grapes). Annual distribution of its 30,000+ cases is limited to French Polynesia, France, New Caledonia, Luxembourg, Germany and Bulgaria.
If your travel plans take you to Rangiroa, you may visit the winery and tasting room, or arrange a private vineyards tour by contacting Sébastien Thépénie at rangiroa@vindetahiti.pf.
Read more about our glorious day excursion on Rangiroa, which included beachcombing, scuba diving, and a little jewelry shopping, here:
https://www.tropicaltravelgirl.com/tahiti-and-tuamotus-rangiroa-our-second-port-of-call/
This is awesome, Tropical Girl! Thanks for letting us know! Cheers! Or what do they say when they toast in Tahiti?
Thanks, Stacey! I’d love to be able to taste all four varietals of the Vin de Tahiti. The traditional Tahitian toast, meaning “to your health,” is Manuia (mah-nwee-ah), although I don’t recall hearing it when I was there!
I love learning about wines around the world, especially those that are totally unexpected. Someday I will get to Tahiti (been a dream since I was a kid) and I will savor a tasting of these wines.
It was totally unexpected to me, too! When we were told about the “coral wine” on Rangiroa during the evening’s talk onboard ship about the next day’s port of call, I was immediately intrigued. I hope you do get to Tahiti to taste the wine! I a ready to go back…for the wine and many other reasons!
Now that is one fantastic wine tasting trip: to Tahiti! Loved this post.
Even though it wasn’t actually a wine tasting trip…I’m so glad I found out about the Tahiti wine on our Windstar cruise! It was quite a surprising discovery. Just wish I would have had the opportunity to taste all four of the varietals from Vin de Tahiti!
Who would ever imagine that they would be able to not only cultivate grapes, but produce wines in the South Pacific. This is something that begs to be sampled. Thanks for clueing us in on Tahiti wines.
I only got to sample one glass of the “coral wine” but it was delightfully dry and crisp. I wish I could’ve brought a bottle home, or at least enjoyed more of it while in French Polynesia.
I can’t believe I went to Tahiti and completely missed trying “coral wine” ….next trip! It sounds wonderful!
I just got a brief taste, but if I ever make it back, I’ll be looking for it everywhere!
The most widely uesd wine grapes on Tahiti are Carigan (red) and Muscat Hamburg (white). Both varities are known for their ability to survive heat. In adition to grape wine and fruit wine, Tahiti also produces beer, from malt imported from New Zeland and France. It is brewed at the Brasserie de Tahiti beverage – manufacturing site in Papeete.
Thanks for your comment! That is good to know… I hope to make it back to Tahiti and will search out both the wine and beer!