Cuvee Brut
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2023
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Freshly shucked oysters, artisanal soft cheeses like Camembert, and classic tempura or lightly battered seafood.
✨ Technical Specifications
Villa Maria, founded in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich, stands as a cornerstone of New Zealand's modern winemaking history. Starting with just a single acre of vines in Auckland, Fistonich built a legacy of innovation and quality. The Villa Maria Cuvée Brut is a testament to this pioneering spirit, crafted primarily from classic sparkling varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced from cool-climate maritime vineyards. Utilizing traditional sparkling winemaking techniques, the wine undergoes secondary fermentation and extended lees contact to develop a refined, creamy mousse alongside complex autolytic notes of toasted brioche and fresh baked bread, beautifully balanced by the vibrant, zesty citrus acidity that defines New Zealand's unique terroir.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich, Villa Maria evolved from a modest five-acre leased plot in Māngere, Auckland, into one of New Zealand's foremost vinous institutions. Acquired by Indevin Group in 2021, the estate continues its legacy of regional and stylistic breadth, sourcing exceptional fruit from premier microclimates across Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, and Auckland. Viticultural operations emphasize environmental stewardship as a founding member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, complemented by dedicated organic vineyard blocks. Production is delineated into tiers ranging from accessible Private Bin and Cellar Selection expressions to vineyard-designated benchmarks like the Seaspray and Southern Clays Sauvignon Blancs, alongside cellar-worthy Gimblett Gravels Bordeaux blends and single-vineyard Chardonnays. The winemaking team balances modern temperature-controlled stainless steel ferments for pristine aromatic vibrancy with targeted French oak maturation and lees contact for texturally layered, terroir-precise bottlings.