McDiarmid Hill Barrique Fermented Chardonnay
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2027
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted chicken with garlic and herbs, pan-seared sea scallops in butter sauce, or creamy wild mushroom risotto.
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the self-proclaimed Chardonnay capital of New Zealand, the Villa Maria McDiarmid Hill Chardonnay is a masterclass in coastal terroir and traditional winemaking. Sourced from a premier elevated hillside vineyard in Gisborne's Patutahi sub-region, this wine benefits from clay-rich soils and warm, maritime air. The grapes are hand-harvested and fully fermented in French oak barriques using a mix of wild and cultivated yeasts. Regular lees stirring (bâtonnage) and partial malolactic fermentation impart a luxurious, creamy texture, beautifully balancing the intense stone fruit, citrus, and toasted brioche notes that define this iconic New Zealand white.
🍾 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.