Earth Garden Pinot Gris
β³ Drinking Window
2023 - 2026
π½οΈ Food & Wine Pairings
Complements mild aromatic Asian cuisine such as Thai green curry, roasted pork loin with apple sauce, or fresh grilled seafood.
β¨ Technical Specifications
Villa Maria, founded in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich, has long been a pioneer in New Zealand winemaking. The 'Earth Garden' range represents a deep commitment to ecological harmony, crafted from 100% organically grown grapes certified by BioGro. Sourced from the warm, sun-drenched vineyards of Hawke's Bay on the North Island, this Pinot Gris thrives in gravelly, free-draining soils influenced by moderating maritime breezes. The viticultural approach focuses on nurturing living soils to enhance the vines' natural immunity. In the cellar, gentle pressing and cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks preserve the vibrant, natural fruit characters, resulting in a rich, aromatic expression of ripe pear, red apple, and subtle ginger spice, rounded out by brief contact on yeast lees for added texture.
πΎ About the Producer
Established in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich, Villa Maria evolved from a modest five-acre leased plot in MΔngere, 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.