Villa Maria continues to tap into the growing Chinese wine market with its world famous Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs
New Zealand wine production accounts for only around one percent of total global production, and yet many of its wines have gained great international acclaim in the past decade.
One of the most successful brands is Villa Maria, the largest family-owned winery in the country and a trailblazer in organic and sustainable viticulture.
Recently, Villa Maria Winemaker Simon Fell visited Macau for an intimate dinner and wine pairing at Bene Italian restaurant at the Sheraton Macao, on the return leg of a trip to a number of second-tier cities throughout China.
“Of course the markets in these cities are not as mature as in the first-tier cities, but there is huge potential and a lot of interest,” Fell told CLOSER when we spoke to him during his visit. “It’s quite encouraging to see there is an interest in New Zealand wines and also quite a lot of knowledge. People always want to know how New Zealand wines work with their local cuisine and want to know the story behind the wines. Villa Maria is more than 50 years old, so we have a lot of history which interests them.”
Sauvignon Blancs are the most well-known New Zealand variety, but Simon is also keen to show off the quality of Villa Maria’s Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.
“Pinot Noir works very well with Chinese food, especially game style food like duck and pigeon. It’s a match made in heaven really,” he notes. “Our Marlboro Pinot Noir is a particularly good match with its more feminine style, bright, lovely elegance, cherry-violet spectrum, and slightly spicy character.”
Villa Maria has vineyards across four regions including Auckland, Gisborne and Hawkes Bay on the North island, and Marlboro on the northern tip of the South island. The Marlboro region is the sunniest region in New Zealand and has become particularly renowned for its Sauvignon Blancs.
“The northern regions of the Marlboro valley have heavier soils, and more of a tropical fruit flavour spectrum. Then as you head to the Southern valleys of Marlboro, it is a little more exposed to the ocean, so the Sauvignon Blancs have brighter, citrus fruit spectrum, more minerality, acidity, and elegance,” explains Fell.
Altogether, Villa Maria produce four tiers of wines, with something for every taste and budget.
“Our Private Bin range is the most popular,” notes the winemaker. “It is very approachable, easy to drink and more of a reflection of the regions. Our Cellar Selection is also still very approachable but has a little bit more concentration and richness. And then we have our Reserve and Single Vineyard tiers. We only make these in very limited volumes, and they are more of a reflection of a particular sub region within an area, or a particular vineyard site.”
Founding Values
In 1961, at just 21 years of age, Sir George Fistonich founded Villa Maria, leasing five acres of land from his father in Mangere, Auckland. He started off with just an acre of vines and harvested his first grapes in 1962. Throughout the 1960s Villa Maria was a one-man band, but in the early 1970s the company began to expand rapidly. Today, Villa Maria employs more than 250 permanent staff and exports wine to over 50 countries worldwide.
With a commitment to passing something on to the next generation, Sir George has made sustainability a core value for the company.
“We were the first New Zealand wine company to sign up to Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) in 1995,” says Simon Fell.
In 2009, Villa Maria were the first major New Zealand winery to achieve BioGro organic certification for its winery and bottling facilities in Auckland, and 2010 they started measuring all carbon emissions in order to reduce their carbon footprint.
“We have become a lot smarter in terms of our viticulture management system. This ultimately results in healthier soil, healthier vines and better overall wines that are fresher and more vibrant.”
Private Bin 2013 Pinot Noir
A reflection of the Marlboro region, this wine is very approachable and easy drinking. The most pop Pinot Noir in the portfolio, it displays aromas of mature red cherries and berry fruits, whilst on the palate it shows succulent fruit with complex spice, wild herb and savoury elements. Enjoy with red meats, salmon or aged cheese.
Cellar Selection Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
A pure expression of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, bursting with aromas of passion fruit, kaffir lime and gooseberry. It is powerful and juicy, displaying vibrant grapefruit notes with great mid-palate weight, and a balanced acidity. Excellent with fresh pan fried fish or sautéed scallops with grilled seasonal vegetables.
Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir
A blend of fruit parcels from only premium vineyards from both the Awatere and Southern valleys of Marlborough, it has deep red hues leading to a seductive bouquet of red and dark cherries, wild berry and subtle spicy clove notes on the nose. The wine is expressive with an elegant and refined palate displaying richness and generosity. The complex palate is layered and balanced, complemented by fine silky tannins encasing concentrated fruit characters.
Villa Maria wines are available in Macau from Summergate Fine Wines