| Region of production: | Hawke’s Bay GI, Marlborough GI, and others |
| Winery Location: | Mangere, Auckland; Blenheim, Marlborough; Roys Hill, Hawke’s Bay |
| Year Established: | 1961 |
Vineyard Holdings
500 ha
- Seddon Vineyard (85 ha): Marlborough GI
- Taylors Pass Vineyard (75 ha): Marlborough GI
- Joseph Soler Vineyard (65 ha): Hawke’s Bay GI
- Omahu Vineyard (65 ha): Hawke’s Bay GI
- Twyford Vineyard (35 ha): Hawke’s Bay GI
- Ngakirikiri Vineyard (25 ha): Hawke’s Bay GI
- Keltern Vineyard (45 ha): Hawke’s Bay GI
- Ihumatao Vineyard (10 ha): Auckland GI
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Sauvignon Blanc Taylors Pass (Marlborough GI): Inaugural vintage 2003.
- Sauvignon Blanc Southern Clays (Marlborough GI): Inaugural vintage 2007.
- Chardonnay Reserve Barrique Fermented (Gisborne GI): Sourced from several Gisborne growers. Fermented in barrel, 50% new. Inaugural vintage 1985.
- Pinot Noir Reserve (Marlborough GI): Inaugural vintage 2001.
- Pinot Noir Seddon (Marlborough GI): Aged 14 months in French oak barriques, 30% new. Inaugural vintage 2002.
- Pinot Noir Taylors Pass (Marlborough GI): Aged 14 months in French oak barriques, 30% new. Inaugural vintage 2002.
- Pinot Noir Southern Clays (Marlborough GI): 100% destemmed. Fermented in open-top stainless steel tanks and aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. Inaugural vintage 2007.
- Ngakirikiri (Hawke’s Bay GI): Cabernet Sauvignon blended with a small percentage of Merlot. Aged 18 months in French oak barriques, approximately 50% new. Inaugural vintage 2013.
Average Total Production
- N/A
Summary
In 1961, George Fistonich leased five acres in Mangere, Auckland, from his father. One acre was planted to vineyards. The following year, Fistonich vinified the first vintage of Villa Maria, which over the ensuing decades would become one of the largest wine brands in New Zealand. Fistonich first exported his wines in 1988. Villa Maria was one of New Zealand’s earliest adaptors of the screwcap, abandoning cork entirely in 2001. The brand operates winery facilities in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, and Marlborough. Despite its large production, Villa Maria is admired for its quality across ranges. Nick Picone serves as chief winemaker. The company also owns Vidal, Te Awa, and Esk Valley.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Villa Maria has been certified by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand since 1995, and 30% of the estate vineyards are certified organic by BioGro, with the goal of complete organic certification by 2030. Villa Maria utilizes a combination of indigenous and cultured yeasts and screwcaps for all of its wines.
Producer Website: Villa Maria