Press Release Archives

Feb 05 2014

Villa Maria secures prime vineyard in Hawkes Bay

Auckland, New Zealand

The New Zealand owned winery has purchased a 101-acre property on the Gimblett Gravels in Hawkes Bay.

The property, which contains vineyard and a portion of bare land, helps to secure Villa Maria’s grape supply in this finite and sought after sub-region.

Formerly owned and managed by Pask Winery, the vineyard has supplied grapes for Villa Maria wines that were surplus to Pask Winery’s requirements.

Villa Maria Owner and Founder Sir George Fistonich said opportunities like this don’t come along very often. “There is fierce competition to purchase more vineyards in this very limited premium wine area. We’re seeing strong growth in demand for red wines particularly in Asia, so securing our grape supply is crucial to meeting our customer requirements,” he said. “The Gimblett Gravels is a very unique area renowned for making some of the country’s best wines.”

The purchase cements Villa Maria’s position as the largest landholder in the Gimblett Gravels area with ownership of a third of the official Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing district.

Covering 1,976 acres, the Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District is an appellation defined by soil type, producing some of the world’s finest full-bodied red wines. Wine critic, James Halliday, has described the site as “Not just a very special parcel, it is a sacred site.”

For further information contact: Jennifer Scott – U.S. Director of Communications, Villa Maria Estate Ste. Michelle Wine Estates 425.415.3354 Jennifer.J.Scott@smwe.com

Chantelle Harper – Communications / PR Manager Tel: +64 9 255 1754 Mb: +64 27 418 9838 Email: chantelleh@villamaria.co.nz

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