Whitehaven Wines has always had a special connection to the sea. It was while sheltering in the Marlborough Sounds in 1993, with their young daughter Samantha, that Sue and Greg White fell in love with the Marlborough region, and finally put down roots by starting a small winery.
The White family grew their business inspired by their philosophy of family, an uncompromising focus on quality, and looking after the land for future generations. When their daughter Samantha fell in love with her now husband Josh, a marine biologist with a passion for ocean sustainability, Whitehaven was introduced to LegaSea. So, when the opportunity to partner with LegaSea as a Platinum Partner arose, Whitehaven jumped at the chance. Through this partnership Whitehaven can play a role in helping to restore oceans and marine environments, for the enjoyment of communities and future generations.
LegaSea is a non-profit organisation that works tirelessly to protect and restore New Zealand’s marine environment. Their ethos of protecting the ocean for future generations, spoke directly to the White family philosophy and aligned with the company’s foundations of sustainability. And so the Kōparepare wine range was created.
In 2020 Samantha returned to the family business in Marlborough. Having spent the first six months of her life on board the yacht in which her parents navigated the Pacific, Samantha has an inherent passion for the restoration of New Zealand’s natural resources. It is this legacy that has seen Samantha take on the important role of ambassador to the Kōparepare range, and ensuring we work together to restore oceans.
"Whitehaven is the dream my parents shared while sheltering in the waters of New Zealand’s Marlborough Sounds. As a family operated business we are passionate about restoring our natural resources and I feel privileged to share this legacy with you, through the Kōparepare range of wines. Produced and bottled by Whitehaven, Kōparepare (Māori for gift or contribution) helps to fund the work of LegaSea, a non-profit organisation committed to protecting New Zealand’s marine environment. Kōparepare is our gift to future generations – for every bottle sold, we donate to the cause. Please join me in helping to restore our oceans." Samantha White, Whitehaven Wines.