Chardonnay Reserve
⏳ Drinking Window
2024 - 2030
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or turkey, pan-seared scallops in a lemon-butter sauce, and creamy pasta dishes like wild mushroom fettuccine.
✨ Technical Specifications
Villa Maria, founded in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich, stands as a pioneering force in New Zealand's modern wine industry. The Reserve Chardonnay from Hawke's Bay represents a masterclass in New World Chardonnay production, sourced from prestigious vineyards across this sun-drenched region. Hawke's Bay's unique terroir—characterized by ancient river terraces, gravelly soils, and a warm maritime climate—provides the perfect canvas for Chardonnay. This wine is crafted using traditional techniques, including wild yeast fermentation in French oak barriques, followed by extensive lees stirring (bâtonnage) and partial malolactic fermentation. The result is a beautifully complex white wine that seamlessly marries ripe stone fruit and citrus aromas with toasted brioche, roasted nuts, and a creamy, textured palate, all underpinned by the signature vibrant acidity of New Zealand.
🍾 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.