News Archive - 2012

The Wine Standard Summer 2012-2013

Monday, 17 December 2012

Read all about Villa Maria's latest news and awards, including George's 50th Vintage Road Show and the 2012 Air New Zealand Wine Awards success.... More»»

Villa Maria, Middle Earth's Most Awarded Winery

Monday, 26 November 2012

By winning its 62nd trophy in 26 years at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, Villa Maria defended their title as New Zealand's Most Awarded Winery... More»»

Villa Maria takes out top prize at Sustainable Business Network Awards

Friday, 23 November 2012

Villa Maria Estate was last night named Supreme Winner at the New Zealand Sustainable Business Network Awards held at ... More»»

2012 brings twelfth win for Villa Maria

Thursday, 22 November 2012

In a stunning display of consistent excellence, Villa Maria Estate was on Wednesday announced New Zealand Winery of the Year ... More»»

Sir George receives extraordinary 50th Vintage present

Friday, 16 November 2012

Sir George Fistonich, founder and owner of Villa Maria Estate, received a special 50th Vintage present ... More»»

Royal reception for Villa Maria wines

Wednesday, 14 November 2012

Villa Maria Estate’s award winning wines took pride of place at Monday night’s Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Trust Gala Dinner... More»»

Villa Maria Pinot Noir continues to excel at Marlborough Wine Show

Tuesday, 13 November 2012

Continuing its winning form and following on from its Gold award last year, the Villa Maria Estate Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir 2009... More»»

Kiwi winemaker triumphs in Trans Tasman awards

Monday, 12 November 2012

Villa Maria’s Nick Picone awarded Young Winemaker of the Year... More»»

Villa Maria’s Gimblett Gravels wines excel at Five Nations Wine Challenge

Wednesday, 31 October 2012

Villa Maria wines performed well at the Five Nations Wine Challenge, gaining four Double Golds as well as two Gold medals at the awards dinner ... More»»

Summer of sound at Villa Maria Estate

Thursday, 25 October 2012

The details of this summer’s Classic Hits Winery Tour were announced this morning, with an amazing line-up of home grown talent confirmed. Villa... More»»

Chardonnay and Viognier stand out for Villa Maria

Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Villa Maria Estate has secured two top prizes at last night’s Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards, the country’s largest regional wine... More»»

Villa Maria scoops top award at Spiegelau Wine Competition

Thursday, 11 October 2012

Villa Maria Estate and Mount Riley were jointly awarded ‘Champion Wine Producer’ ... More»»

Villa Maria wins Sustainable Business of the Year Award

Friday, 5 October 2012

Villa Maria Estate has been named Sustainable Business of the Year at the Northern Sustainable Business Network Awards, recognising ... More»»

Sir George Fistonich celebrates his 50th vintage with book release

Thursday, 4 October 2012

Coinciding with his 50th vintage celebrations, one of New Zealand’s most determined and resilient visionaries, Sir George Fistonich, releases... More»»

Villa Maria launches Mandarin website

Friday, 21 September 2012

Villa Maria Estate unveils its fully translated Mandarin website in China today at an online launch event through the social media platform, Weibo... More»»

Villa Maria's Nick Picone announced as Finalist for Young Winemaker of the Year 2012 Awards

Wednesday, 19 September 2012

Villa Maria's Nick Picone announced as Finalist for Young Winemaker of the Year 2012 Awards... More»»

Villa Maria named New Zealand Winery of the Year

Friday, 14 September 2012

Villa Maria Estate has been named New Zealand Winery of the Year by WINE Magazine in China.... More»»

Sir George Fistonich of Villa Maria buys Te Awa Winery

Friday, 7 September 2012

Sir George Fistonich confirms that he has purchased the vineyard and winery assets of Te Awa Winery in Hawkes Bay. ... More»»

Villa Maria receives Winery of the Year Award

Friday, 31 August 2012

Villa Maria received the Winery of the Year Award for the best Wine with Food Combination at the 2012 Vintners’ Brunch ... More»»

New Zealand wine pioneer celebrates 50 years of exceptional winemaking

Monday, 27 August 2012

You don’t become New Zealand’s most awarded winery and create one of the world’s most admired wine brands without taking a few risks along the way.... More»»

Villa Maria defends Champion Wine Trophy at Bragato Wine Awards

Friday, 24 August 2012

Villa Maria’s Chardonnay success story continues with their Single Vineyard Ihumatao Chardonnay 2011 securing the Champion Wine of Show, Champion... More»»

The Family of Twelve Travels to Asia

Friday, 3 August 2012

The Family of Twelve makes its first outbound tour in three years, visiting Melbourne, Singapore and Hong Kong. The Family of Twelve is a fraternity... More»»

Vintage 2012 Summary

Thursday, 5 July 2012

There were both triumphs and challenges during vintage 2012 for Villa Maria in New Zealand. We would like to share with you a summary from our... More»»

Supreme Green Ribbon Award for Villa Maria Estate

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Villa Maria Estate won the Supreme Green Ribbon Award at last night’s ceremony at Parliament, recognising their outstanding and on-going... More»»

Sir George wins Wine Intelligence 10 for 10 Business Award

Thursday, 31 May 2012

Villa Maria Estate’s founder and owner Sir George Fistonich won a Wine Intelligence 10 for 10 Business Award at a ceremony following the Wine... More»»

Villa Maria Chardonnay retains Gisborne Wine Awards’ top spot

Wednesday, 30 May 2012

Villa Maria Reserve Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 2010 was named the ‘Supreme Wine of the Show’ at the Gisborne Regional Wine Awards last Friday... More»»

Green Ribbon Awards finalist

Friday, 25 May 2012

Villa Maria Estate has been selected by the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment as a finalist in the 2012 Green Ribbon Awards, recognising their... More»»

Sir George Fistonich named ‘Man of the Year’

Thursday, 24 May 2012

Sir George Fistonich, currently celebrating his 50th vintage at the helm of Villa Maria Estate, was named Drinks Business ‘Man of the Year’ in a... More»»

Celebrating 50 years of exceptional winemaking

Monday, 14 May 2012

Villa Maria Estate is New Zealand's most awarded winery and this year marks 50 years since the first vintage of Villa Maria wine was bottled by... More»»

Rob Ferguson joins Villa Maria Estate

Monday, 16 April 2012

Rob Ferguson has been appointed as General Manager Commercial of Villa Maria Estate. He joined the family owned wine business earlier this year and... More»»

Villa Maria wins gold at Finnish Wine of the Year competition

Thursday, 22 March 2012

Villa Maria Estate, New Zealand’s most awarded winery, received a gold medal for its Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 at the 15th Finnish... More»»

Surprise award for Sir George at Royal Easter Show

Sunday, 18 March 2012

Villa Maria Estate’s Managing Director and founder, Sir George Fistonich, was honoured with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his services to the... More»»

Villa Maria supports up and coming Master Sommelier

Tuesday, 7 February 2012

Showing support and belief in the importance of the Sommelier profession, Sir George Fistonich was pleased to award aspiring master sommelier Damien... More»»