4th March 2018 – Villa Maria’s reputation as New Zealand’s most awarded winery was upheld with a total of 12 golds and two trophies at last night’s Royal Easter Show Wine Awards. Villa Maria took home an impressive 20% of the total gold medals awarded in the 2018 competition.
Group Chief Winemaker, Nick Picone, was particularly excited the golds spanned all four tiers of Villa Maria wines: “We are thrilled the gold medals were awarded to a spectrum of wines from our Private Bin, Cellar Selection, Reserve and Single Vineyard ranges, and from several regions; Gisborne, Marlborough, Hawkes Bay and Auckland.”
The iconic family owned winery took home both the Champion Syrah and Heritage Category with the Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2016 and Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005, 2010 and 2015 respectively.
Villa Maria Founder and President, Sir George Fistonich, believes these awards are an outcome of a passionate and hard-working winemaking team: “These incredible results are an indication that with an unwavering commitment to quality our talented and passionate winemaking team continues to produce world-class wines.”
A leader in sustainability, innovation and quality, Villa Maria is a family owned winery recognised as an icon in the New Zealand wine industry.