Sir George Fistonich - Owner and Managing Director

Sir George Fistonich founded Villa Maria Estate in Auckland in 1961. With vision and determination he has steered the company to a position where it has become New Zealand’s leading wine award winner, both locally and overseas.

From early on, George focused on the importance of regional differences in relation to grape quality and wine styles.  He pioneered the use of contract growers and led Villa Maria to become the first New Zealand wine company to initiate payment for grapes based on quality rather than a flat contract price.

George purchased the Vidal winery in Hastings in 1976.  He realised the potential for producing top quality grapes, especially of Bordeaux red varieties, in the Gimblett Road and Mere Road areas off Highway 50 near Hastings, and was instrumental in establishing some of the first vineyards there. 

In 1979 he opened New Zealand's first vineyard bar and restaurant at the Vidal winery, setting the standard for vineyard restaurants that have since opened throughout the country.

In the early 1980s, George, recognising the superior quality of grapes from some vineyards, originated a two-tier structure for labelling the wines. In the best vintages and from the best grapes a "Reserve" range of wines is produced. These have maintained their position as some of the most awarded and praised wines made in New Zealand.

In 1987 the Villa Maria Group purchased the Esk Valley Estate winery at Bay View, just north of Napier. While retaining the best features of the winery George has refurbished and repositioned it to become "one of New Zealand's leading boutique wineries".

In 1993 Villa Maria Estate was joint promoter of Seddon Vineyards of Marlborough, the first ever public share offering in New Zealand where the development of a high quality grape growing vineyard was its core business. 

A commitment to quality and innovation extends also to the staff George employs.  He encourages employees to work to their individual strengths while at the same time emphasising the value of team work and co-operation.

In 2004, Sir George Fistonich was shortlisted as one of the 50 most prominent figures in the wine industry by UK Wine International magazine and in 2005 he was named New Zealand’s Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

It was in 2009 that Sir George received his greatest honour to date - a knighthood for his services to the New Zealand wine industry.  One of only 85 to be knighted this year and the first ever to be acknowledged for services to the New Zealand wine industry, George confirmed his Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit by adopting the prestigious title of Sir – a reminder of his significant contribution to the industry and a history of international and national success.