Cellar Selection Albarino
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2026
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Freshly shucked oysters, grilled seafood such as prawns or white fish, and light summer salads with goat cheese.
✨ Technical Specifications
Villa Maria, founded in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich, has long been a pioneer in New Zealand winemaking. While Gisborne is traditionally celebrated as the Chardonnay capital of the country, it has also proven to be an exceptional home for the Spanish grape Albariño. Grown on the coastal plains of Gisborne—where the vines are among the first in the world to greet the morning sun—this wine benefits from a warm maritime climate and fertile, clay-silt soils. The Cellar Selection Albariño is crafted to showcase the pure, vibrant character of the fruit, utilizing temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation to preserve its aromatic intensity. The result is a beautifully expressive white wine defined by lime, peach, and floral notes, underpinned by a distinct salty minerality that pays homage to its coastal heritage.
🍾 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.