Braided Gravels Merlot
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 3 to 10 years from the vintage release, though exceptional vintages can cellar gracefully for up to 12 years.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-roasted rosemary lamb shoulder, grilled prime ribeye steak, or pan-seared duck breast.
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the prestigious Gimblett Gravels sub-region of Hawke's Bay, Villa Maria's Braided Gravels Merlot is a profound expression of one of New Zealand's most unique terroirs. The name pays homage to the ancient, stony, braided riverbed of the Ngaruroro River, which shifted course over a century ago to leave behind deep beds of gravel. Once deemed useless for traditional farming, these free-draining stones absorb the Kiwi sun by day and radiate warmth to the vines by night, allowing the late-ripening Merlot grape to achieve optimal phenolic maturity. Villa Maria, founded by wine pioneer Sir George Fistonich in 1961, crafts this wine with meticulous care, utilizing traditional fermentation followed by aging in fine French oak barriques. The result is a deeply colored, aromatic red boasting luscious notes of dark plum, blackberry, and sweet baking spices, framed by velvety tannins and a distinct mineral elegance.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich, Villa Maria stands as one of New Zealand's most celebrated and pioneering wine producers. From its historic roots in Auckland, the winery has established extensive vineyard holdings across the premier winegrowing regions of Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, and Gisborne. Renowned for its steadfast dedication to sustainability and quality innovation, Villa Maria played an instrumental role in shaping modern New Zealand viticulture and championing regional expressiveness. The estate's diverse portfolio ranges from the globally recognized Private Bin series to site-specific single-vineyard and Reserve wines, excelling in vibrant Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, refined Pinot Noir, complex Chardonnay, and structured Hawke's Bay red blends.