Villa Maria Gewurztraminer Hawkes Bay Marlborough Branco

Description

In 1961, at just 21 years old, George rented five hectares of land from his father in Mangere, Auckland, and began his vineyard. The first harvest came in 1962, from which he produced his inaugural wine, naming it Villa Maria. With a strong desire to progress, George—already married to his wife Gail—assembled the resources needed to push the project forward. Thus, in 1970, after having begun producing red and white wines years earlier, he started hiring people who would help grow the company, which now employs 250 staff and exports wine to more than 50 countries worldwide. Villa Maria Estates is therefore a model of sustainability, innovation, and quality in New Zealand, recognized around the globe. (illustrative image only)