This wine is bottled shortly after harvest to showcase the youthful, fresh and vibrant characteristics of Marlborough. Initially, the cool climate Awatere aromas jump out of the glass, such as lemongrass, jalapeño peppers and fresh herbs. In contrast, the Wairau Valley has warmer summer months, influencing vineyards to produce a pungent Sauvignon Blanc with ripe citrus and tropical fruit flavours. A perfect aperitif wine, serve chilled on warm summer days. Fresh herbal flavours match well with most salads, whereas the riper tropical flavours match well with any fish recipes.
The Villa Maria story is one of absolute passion. Each wine is crafted in the unique, fruit-driven style of New Zealand, showcasing the very best of the country’s distinct wine regions. Villa Maria sources grapes from New Zealand’s premium grape growing regions, including Marlborough and Hawkes Bay, and produces wines in state-of-the-art winemaking facilities in Auckland and Marlborough. The winery Sir George Fistonich started in 1961 is still family owned and stands as an icon of superior quality and innovation in New Zealand winemaking. Villa Maria was also the first wine company in New Zealand to declare the winery a “cork-free zone,” sealing all wines from the 2001 vintage onwards with a screw cap to ensure quality in every bottle. Dedicated to minimizing environmental impact, Villa Maria has pioneered sustainable viticulture and winemaking since the 1990s, and is one of the very few wineries that have acquired four certifications as proof of the on-going commitment. Respected global beverage journal Drinks International has named Villa Maria as New Zealand’s Most Admired Wine Brand from 2015 to 2019 for consistently outstanding focus on quality.