The years 2010 and 2011 stand as one of the most defining chapters in Taizi’s story, a season that tested both heart and heritage.

In 2010, research and development began just before Sam Lu’s wedding at Christchurch’s Old Convention Centre, an event remembered by many as the wedding of the century. Beneath the grandeur and celebration, the brothers were quietly nurturing a vision that would later redefine what baijiu could become in the Western world.

Those early months were filled with discovery, late nights, and conversations shared with their father, Raymond Lu, a man whose wisdom, discipline, and quiet pride anchored their pursuit. His passing in July 2011 from lymphoma left an indelible mark on the brothers. Yet it was within that grief that their purpose deepened. They carried his teachings forward, not as mere memory but as the spiritual foundation of their craft.

Adding to their trials, the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 shook not just the city but their resolve. Facilities were damaged, plans delayed, and uncertainty loomed. Still, the brothers pressed on. They distilled through chaos, embodying the resilience of the land they called home.

From those years of hardship emerged more than a spirit. It was a tribute. Every drop of Taizi became a reflection of endurance, filial honor, and faith in the beauty that follows adversity.

This era, forged through challenge and loss, became the heartbeat of Taizi’s legacy, proof that even through the darkest hours, true craftsmanship endures.