Single serve wine bottle

This bottle of Lindauer Brut Cuvee sparkling wine was one of two guest favours (the other being the customised ‘Sweet 16 Rachel Helu’ paua treasure box) customised for the occasion of Rachel Palatavake Vata-i-Viena Vai Helu's 'Sweet Sixteen' birthday on Saturday 19 February, 2011 at the Town Hall, Wellington, New Zealand.

Remembering a coming of age

The bottle has been personalised with a printed label featuring a single photo of Rachel Helu and a small ‘thank you’ greeting. On the neck of the bottle, a rose-pink ribbon with gold trimming has been attached and printed with Rachel Helu’s name and ‘Sweet 16 13-02-2011’ commemorating the day her loved ones gathered for her sixteenth birthday. Toakase Helu (Rachel’s Mother) chose this favour as wine is a celebratory symbolthat guests could store for a long period to mark the occasion.

The large scale 'Sweet Sixteen' birthday celebration was the inception of Rachel's late father, Sione Helu, who passed away beforeher birthday arrived. It was tohonour Rachel as his first born and only daughter, The celebration of Sweet Sixteen coming of age parties is well established among communities in the United States and at the time was considered a new development in the New Zealand based Tongan community.

Acquisition History

This wine bottle is one of several items including a dress from the Sweet Sixteen birthday celebrations offered to Te Papa by Toakase Helu in 2011.