Founded in 1961 by current owner and Managing Director, Sir George Fistonich, Villa Maria is a privately owned winery. Villa Maria produces New Zealand’s most awarded wines and has achieved acclaim, both nationally and internationally since the early 1980’s. This outstanding achievement is due to an uncompromising commitment and dedication to quality at all stages of the grape growing and winemaking process.Villa Maria sources grapes from each of New Zealand’s premium grape growing regions - Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne; and produces wines in two state of the art wineries situated in Marlborough and Auckland. Villa Maria was the first major wine company in New Zealand to seal its wines with screwcaps, ensuring the wine reaches the consumer just as the winemaker intended.

Extremely aromatic, fruit-driven and passionfruit/guava/tropical fruited. Lots of thiols. Trace of residual sugar, no oak evident. Amazing power and purity, concentration but also finesse. Long, long finish. Date Tasted: November 2022; Drink: 2022 to 2027; Alcohol: 14%; Rating: 97 Points; Huon Hooke

Fresh, zingy sauvignon with lime, gooseberry, grapefruit and green capsicum flavours supported by juicy acidity. Intense wine with good varietal and regional/Awatere Valley character. Date Tasted: August 2022; Drink: 2022 to 2025; Alcohol: 14%; Rating: 94 Points; Bob Campbell MW

Expressive aromas of rich and ripe citrus fruit with baked peaches and apricots notes. Gentle oak on the palate, with a pleasant, lingering finish. Date Tasted: June 2022; Rating: 95 Points; Decanter World Wine Awards