Tussock Jumper

Tussock Jumper Wines began as a single concept developed by wine expert Peder van Arkel and a group of international wine specialists. Looking to simplify global wine exploration, they launched with a single New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc featuring a sheep on the label. The brand name was chosen to blend local terroir with travel: “Tussock” refers to a resilient, tuft-like grass found across global wine landscapes, while “Jumper” highlights the movement of traveling from region to region.

Following a positive reception from international buyers, the founders expanded the brand into a global collective. Instead of purchasing a single physical estate, they partnered directly with small, local farms and independent winemakers across 11 different countries. This strategy allowed them to build a diverse “herd” of wines. Today, the portfolio features over 25 distinct wines sourced from 15 of the world’s premier wine-growing regions.

Each regional varietal features a localized animal “ambassador” wearing a signature red sweater—such as a buffalo for California Zinfandel or a penguin for Argentine Malbec. To bridge traditional winemaking with modern technology, the brand introduced an augmented reality (AR) mobile app that lets consumers scan labels and watch sweater-wearing animals come to life to explain the wine’s origin.

The collective has maintained a strict “bottled at the source” policy, ensuring all wines are packaged in the exact region where the grapes are grown to preserve authenticity and support local economies. Additionally, the brand focuses on environmental citizenship as an active member of 1% for the Planet, donating a portion of all sales directly to global marine conservation and ocean protection projects.